Choir :East Ridge High School
2017-2018
Instructor: Name: Tausha Plate
Telephone:423-867-6200 extension 330
Email: *
Available after school: by appointment only. Confirm date and time before appointment.
*Asterisk denotes teacher’s preferred way of communication.
Course Description
This is a beginning choir class. We learn basic reading and singing skills, and perform once or twice a semester. It is also a class where students can sing without having to do solo singing. The environment is fun, but group singing is required.
We do not have a class web site, but you can like us on Facebook, as East Ridge Choir, for basic information.
Course Policies
Each performance missed will result in a 0 in the gradebook. Grade is based on attendance, participation and effort to improve musicianship. Improvements can be demonstrated by participation in Hamilton County Choral Festival and other events as well as daily improvement on assigned choral literature. There may be events off campus that we will attend also. Because this is a performance based class based on state standards, missed performances can be raised to a passing grade with assigned written make up work, but there is not opportunity to make up a missed community performance at full credit. Students who are unable to meet the full performance requirements are discouraged from selecting this ensemble. Absences may be excused with PRIOR approval of the Director. An excused absence would be defined as illness, or death in the family. Work is not an excused absence, nor is no transportation. With proper notice, both situations can be remedied.
Assessments and Grading
See course policies noted above concerning absences. Assessments are done almost daily on both quality and the effort in the pursuit of musical excellence. Criteria will include,but may not be limited to; warm ups, rhythmic studies, repertoire, music memorization and attendance and punctuality at both rehearsals and performances. All students that choose this class in the fall will participate fully in choir functions and events associated with community expectations. These will include concerts.
Your grade will be calculated as shown below:
Grading formula for each 9-week’s grade:
Weekly Participation grade30%
Classroom work20%
Performance30%
Test/quiz grades20%
Semester Grade Calculations
1st Nine Weeks – 40%
2nd Nine Weeks – 40%
Exam – 20%
Course Topics and Schedule by Semester
Week / Semester 1 / Topic1 / Aug. 11-12 / Ice breakers/get to know you
2 / Aug. 15-19 / Introduction to music
3 / Aug. 22-26 / Music reading
4 / Aug. 29-Sept. 2 / Rhythm reading
5 / Sept. 5-9 (Labor Day) / Articulations through song; pronunciations
6 / Sept. 12-16 / Singing languages
7 / Sept. 19-23 / Singing languages
8 / Sept. 26-30 / Singing languages
9 / Oct. 3-7 (End of 1st quarter)
Oct. 10-14 / Fall Break
10 / Oct. 17-21 / Introduction to holiday music
11 / Oct. 24-28 / Teaching harmonies
12 / Oct. 31-Nov.4 / Application through song
13 / Nov. 7-11 / Memorizing scores
14 / Nov. 14-18 / Blend and vowels
15 / Nov. 21-22 (Thanksgiving) / Blend and vowels, articulation, and pronunciation
16 / Nov. 28-Dec. 2 / Putting all together
17 / Dec. 5-9 / Putting all together
18 / Dec. 12-16(End of Semester 1) / Concert