Vocal Music/Music Specialist
Lumberton High School
2013-14
Teresa Davis, Instructor 910.920.0597
Welcome to the Vocal Music Department of Lumberton High School. There will be ample performance opportunities provided for all students who meet the criteria.
Vocal music class prepares the students for successful participation in Concert Choir and/or Show Choir. Concert Choir and Show Choir are advanced vocal music class for students with advanced vocal abilities who are chosen by audition. All vocal music classes emphasize score study, music theory, rhythmic skills, solo and ensemble singing, proper singing techniques, and concerts. Students will gain a greater understanding of group commitment, increase their creative abilities, become more self-confident and develop a lifelong appreciation of music. Students will learn by participating in daily rhythmic and sight-reading exercises, by performing in concerts, by singing solos, and by participating in various competitions and district level ensembles. Students will also be listening to and participating properly in class discussions concerning the elements of music and proper vocal techniques.
Course Outline: Students begin the year by learning the basics of good singing such as breathing techniques, proper posture, proper mouth position, and proper pronunciation. Students are exposed to various types of musical notation.Students are expected to master the skill of reading music. Students are also expected to participate in daily rhythmic and sight-reading exercises. The musical repertoire varies according to the types of upcoming performances.
Student Assessment/Grading: Each student begins with an “A”. To maintain this grade, the student must participate in all performances, have good class attendance, and participate in all class activities with a positive attitude. The choir outfit must be purchased and worn to Concert Choir performances. A student’s grade may also be lowered if the student chews gum ,talks during class, or uses unauthorized electronic devices Chorus students may be asked to sing solos throughout the term. Specific days will be set aside to perform the solos.
Make-Up Work Policy: Performances cannot be “made - up”. If the student is ill, the parent needs to call me ahead of time on the day of the performance stating that the student cannot attend due to illness. Please call the cell number listed above and leave a voicemail. Colds, etc. are not excusable reasons to miss a performance. There are responsibilities other than singing to make the performance a success! The choir is a team and must work together.
Major Projects:
Fall/ Winter/Spring concert(s).
Community/School Performances, PSRC Showcase, All-County Chorus
All performance details will be posted and discussed with the students.
Performances will be announced two weeks in advance except under extreme circumstances!
Learning Resources Outside the Class Room:
Choral music, guest musicians, attendance at and/or participation in opera/theater/community concerts, community and school performances. Technology programs such as Smart Music, Finale and educational music apps
Educational Goals:
Students will learn how to communicate using proper music vocabulary/terminology.
Students will learn how to read using correct letter-names for notes placed on the staff (lines and spaces).
Students will learn how to read music in the appropriate clef for their voice (Treble or bass).
Students will learn how to read and count whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes/rests.
Students will learn how to read basic rhythms in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4,common time, and cut time.
Students will learn fundamentals of sight-reading/sight-singing.
Vocal Music Department Schedule:
8:00-9:30 First Period
9:30-9:54 Tutoring/Reading
10:01-11:31 Second Period
11:38-1:37 Third Period/Planning
1:44-3:14 Fourth Period
Numeric/GPA Conversion
All report card grades will be numeric
96 or > 4.00 90=3.25 84=2.5 78=1.75 70=1.00
95=3.875 89=3.125 83=2.375 77=1.625 69=0.00
94=3.75 88=3.00 82=2.25 76=1.50
93=3.625 87=2.875 81=2.125 75=1.375
92=3.5 86=2.750 80=2.00 74=1.250
91=3.375 85=2.625 79=1.875 73=1.125