Rosedale Heights School of the Arts
Vocal Music
Courses: Grade 12 AMV 4M1, 3M3, AMJ 4M1 Revised: September 2015
Teacher: Ms. Riedstra Music Office: Room 115 “Hangar”
music office: 416-393-1580 x20100
The vocal program is intended to develop students' understanding and appreciation of music through practical skills and creative work. Students will not only find in music a source of enjoyment and personal satisfaction, but may also gain poise, professionalism, listening skills, concentration, self-discipline, self-confidence, responsibility, leadership, peer relationships, motivation, regard for others, and connections to their communities and future careers.
The expectations for this course are organized into three strands:
A. Creating and Performing (60%)
· Perform a variety of repertoire from various periods and styles as required solo and in groups and choir (pop, musical theatre, classical, traditional folk music, etc.)
· Develop vocal technique (proper breath support, open and focused tone, legato and detached styles) and musical skills (good intonation, rhythmic cut-offs) as indicated during daily warm-ups
· Develop sight-singing skills in major and minor keys
· Attend and fully participate in all school concerts and events as announced
· Bring pencils and music to all rehearsals & classes; make markings as they are given
B. Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing (15%)
· Listening Logs assignments: listen to and analyze a variety of vocal repertoire from various historical periods and world traditions using the elements of music
· Compose insightful responses to our own performances and performances of others
C. Foundations (25%)
· Develop an understanding of the written components of music theory notation
· Develop an understanding of history of composers and compositions from the Western musical eras, and traditional and world music, with a focus on choral and vocal works
· Study safe and healthy practices associated with practicing & performing
D. December Exam
E. Culminating Assessment
· Singing two solos (classical or classical & musical theatre) and final written theory exam
Reporting period / Term Work(A. B. C. above) / December Exam
(D. above) / Culminating Evaluation
(E. above) / Total /
November Interim / 100% / 100%
February / 70% / 30% / 100%
April / 80% / 20% / 100%
June / 60% / 10% / 30% / 100%
ROSEDALE CHOIRS
As a part of the vocal program, all vocal students sing in at least one of the Rosedale Choirs.
ROSEDALE CHAMBER CHOIR (grades 11-12) - The Chamber Choir performs at Winter Music Night (December), Spring Music Night (May), some assemblies, Parent Silent Auction, Open House (November), workshops and competitions. They sing both their own repertoire and that of the Rosedale Choir (see “Rosedale Choir” SAT B below.) Chamber Choir singers attend both sets of rehearsals. Chamber Choir rehearses every Thursday at 3:30 in room 112.
*Grade 10 vocal students are eligible to audition for chamber choir if they wish to join.
WOMEN’S CHOIR (SSA grades 9-10) - The Rosedale Women’s Choir is made up of all the women’s vocal classes. This choir will sing at the Winter Music Night (December) and Spring Music Night (May). The rehearsals will be in class AND after school rehearsals 4 weeks before the concert in order to join the classes together to make the choir. Expect after school rehearsals in November/December and April/May.
ROSEDALE CHOIR (SATB grades 9-12) – The Rosedale Choir is made up of all the SATB (mixed voice) vocal classes. This choir will sing at the Winter Music Night (December) and Spring Music Night (May). The rehearsals will be in class time AND after school rehearsals 4 weeks before the concert in order to join the classes together to make the choir. Expect after school rehearsals in November/December and April/May.
MEN’S CHOIR – This choir is open to all guys at Rosedale who wish to sing. This choir will perform at the Winter and Spring Music Nights. Rehearsals are every Friday at 12 noon.
CONFLICTS - If you have a conflict and it is truly impossible to come to choir rehearsals, it is expected that you will write a note describing your conflict BEFORE the rehearsal. Also, see your teacher or Ms. Riedstra in office hours. See “expectations” for details.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULES will be posted on the door of room 112 and handed out at least one month prior to a concert.
AUDITIONS - Rosedale Chamber Choir auditions will be held in early September.
- The Rosedale Revue auditions will be held in the last week of September.
- Toronto Chamber Choir Apprentice Singer auditions will be held in October.
- Aria / concerto competition: October. Winner will perform with the orchestra.
- Sometimes there are solos in the choir pieces. The audition dates will be posted.
- Coffee House! Audition dates for coffee house performances early February.
*Choral performances are a component of the course and are included in your marks.
Expectations for Vocal Music Courses
WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS COURSE for each class:
· 1 inch binder with dividers
· Dividers for choral music/ theory/ history/ analysis + reflection
· Pencils + Eraser + pencil sharpener
· Some lined paper
· Sight Singing book – Sing at First Sight (This work book is needed for grade 10 too)
Homework, especially theory homework, will be assigned weekly. Students who miss classes are still expected to do the homework for the day missed. Students are expected to practice note naming in the treble and bass clefs on www.teoria.com or www.musictheory.net in order to have a foundation for the rest of the course.
Extra Help: Extra help can be booked with the teacher in the music office, at the back of room 115.
General: NO FOOD, NO DRINKS (except water), NO GUM, NO PERFUME PLEASE!!
- Commitment - awareness of commitment to each other, to the art of singing, and to the choral ensemble as a whole
- demonstration of teamwork, cultivation of good relationships in choir
- regard for the Rosedale choir rehearsals. Missing choir rehearsal is unacceptable. Illness and conflicts from other commitments may be excused with a written note or phone call from you, your parent/ guardian, boss, teacher, etc. before the rehearsals. Notes should include : your full name and full date the note is written
the rehearsal dates you will be missing
the reason you are missing
an explanation of what you tried to do to solve the conflict
Rehearsal:
- regular class & after school rehearsal attendance is crucial. Dress Rehearsals are compulsory in order to perform in concerts.
- punctuality
- demonstration of serious, professional manner (no socializing, speaking out)
- excellent posture, positive attitude, open mind to try new styles and types of music
Uniform - as required for the specific occasion but often black bottoms, black tops, dark shoes.
No Exceptions. Borrow if you must.
Musical Commitment
- personal practice a high priority. Every day. Minimum 20 minutes per day.
- practice technical singing exercises, review of sight-singing and rhythmic reading, memorizing lyrics, solfège of parts, seeking out others to review parts in small groups and sectionals, etc.
- recording of rehearsals is encouraged for you to use in private practice time as is use of recordings on-line (like YouTube)
- marking musical directions from conductor into sheet music during rehearsal (in pencil of course!) as well as solfege