Ensemble Novice

DISPOSITIONS

Collaboration
Flexibility
Goal Setting
Inquisitiveness
Openness and respect for the ideas and work of others
Responsible risk-taking
Self-Reflection
Self-discipline and Perseverance

CREATING

Imagine
Generate Musical ideas for various purposes and contexts.
Standard:MU:Cr1.1.E.5a
Compose and improvise melodic and rhythmic ideas or motives that reflect characteristic(s) of music or text(s) studied in rehearsal.
Enduring Understanding
The creative ideas, concepts, and feelings that influence musicians’ work emerge from a variety of sources / Essential Question
How do musicians generate creative ideas?
Knowledge:
Structure
Ability to recognize and discern various styles and genres of jazz and interpret them accordingly.
Context
History of classic and contemporary vocal jazz repertoire.
Evaluation / Skills:
Performing
Ability to sing simple improvisational lines over a given progression
Use of altered rhythm, melodies, scat syllables, and riffs
Creating
Vocal Musicians improvise over a given chord progression, keeping genre and style in mind.
Aural & notational skills
Musicians listen to historical examples of instrumental and vocal jazz and begin to analyze what makes each genre unique; then incorporate knowledge of those styles into their improvisational interpretations.
Evaluating
Vocabulary
Verse
riff
chorus
style
bridge
genre
head
chord progression
scat
figure
syncopation
improvisation

PERFORMING

Analyze
Analyze the structure and context of varied musical works and their implications for performance.
Standard:MU:Pr4.2.E.5a
Demonstrate, using music reading skills where appropriate, how knowledge of formal aspects in musical works inform prepared or improvised performances.
Enduring Understanding
Analyzing creators’ context and how they manipulate elements of music provides insight into their intent and informs performance. / Essential Question
How does understanding the structure and context of musical works inform performance?
Knowledge:
Structure
Musicians analyze jazz repertoire and utilize their knowledge of vocal techniquein order to perform compositions accurately.
Context
Historical background of compositions determines the style and treatment of each genre.
Evaluation / Skills:
Performing
Students will be able to use straight tone singing (no vibrato)
Singers will give appropriate treatment to motif within voicings.
Clear statement of melody in the midst of counterpoint or block chording backgrounds.
They will develop rhythm comprehension& competence: subdividing, count-singing, accent placement.
Creating
Sensitive treatment to nuances of specific genres
Appropriate articulation & tone for various genres
Working together to create an ensemble
Aural & notational skills
Vocabulary
consonance
bossa nova
dissonance
samba
genre
swing
style
blues
groove
fusion
ballad

RESPONDING

Interpret
Support an interpretation of a musical work tht reflects the creators’/performers’ expressive intent.
Standard: MU:Re8.1.E.5a
Identify interpretations of the expressive intent and meaning of musical works, referring to the elements of music, contexts, and (when appropriate) the setting of the text.
Enduring Understanding
Through their use of elements and structures of music, creators and performers provide clues to their expressive intent. / Essential Question
How do we discern the musical creators’ and performers’ expressive intent?
Knowledge:
Structure
Musicians will learn to use appropriate elements of strong vocal technique in vocal jazz production and howthey are implemented in each composition
Context
Vocal jazz interpretation in performance practice.
Evaluation / Skills:
Performing
Students will develop strong technique and will understand all basic rudiments of vocal production as applied to vocal jazz.
Communication within the ensemble will become essential: eye contact, physical movements and gestures.
Good mic technique through understanding of sound equipment.
Creating
Singers will deal with harmonic dissonance so as to balance tight harmonies and learn to “ring” those chords.
Aural & notational skills
Vocabulary
Imagery
vocal percussion
Irony
vocal effects
Juxtaposition
fall
text/text painting
smear
onomatopoeia
front phrasing
back phrasing

Knowledge and SkillsEnsemble Novicepage 1