High School Choir Learning Goals; Mercer Island High 2008

During the sophomore, junior and senior years of study, the student will:

Rhythm

  • demonstrate comprehension of simple and compound meter.
  • identify and perform syncopated rhythms.
  • understand and use rhythms including basic as well as complex combinations of eighth, sixteenth and thirty-second notes and rests.

Notation

  • recognize and interpret time signatures.
  • recognize and interpret standard musical symbols and notation appropriateto music rehearsed.
  • explain the circle of fifths.

Form

  • visually and aurally recognize and explain advanced musical forms

e.g. sonata-allegro, fugue, AABA.

  • visually and aurally recognize and explain the form of music rehearsed

and performed.

  • identify and perform theme and variation.

Harmony

  • perform 4, 5 and 6-part songs within an ensemble.
  • visually and aurally identifyintervals and chords; e.g. major, minor,

perfect.

  • maintain an independent musical line within an ensemble.

Melody

  • identify and use sharp, flat, double sharp, double flat and natural signs.
  • identify the note names of the grand staff
  • aurally discriminate between major, minor, augmented, diminished and whole-tone tonalities.

Timbre

  • identify various vocal ensembles including duet, trio, quartet, quintet and chamber choir.
  • identify various band and orchestral families including string, woodwind, brass and percussion.
  • identify various voice parts including soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass.

Composition and Performance

  • create, perform and respond with grade level appropriate music skills and vocabulary.
  • create and perform (sing) melodic lines with an ensemble

Expression

  • analyze and evaluate tempo and dynamic choices.

Skills & Techniques

  • understand and apply expressive elements in music rehearsed and performed.
  • perform music of varying styles, genres and historical periods.
  • analyze and interpret stylistic differences in selected musical genres.

Arts Styles

  • apply techniques from various artists, cultures and/or time periods.
  • transfer understanding from one artistic style to a larger group of artistic works.

Audience Skills

  • articulate how audience conventions and responsibilities differ according to style and culture.
  • understand and demonstrate the relationship and interactive responsibilities of the artist/performer and audience.
  • analyze how style, culture and history have influenced audience conventions.
  • recognize and identify appropriate audience behavior; e.g. self control, attention focused, active listening, response skills and respect for artists in a variety of settings.