Penn Delco School District
Vocal Music- Chorus
Grade Level: 6 Length of Course: Sept. to June
Periods per week: 5 Clock hours per year: 120
Duration of session: 40 minutes
Date written: 8/10 Written by: Elizabeth Hazlett
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The chorus class is offered to those students who wish to sing in an ensemble. Participation in performances is expected and is considered to be an essential part of the learning process. Instruction is highly interactive and will include the study of music from a variety of styles and time periods. Instruction will also include the honing of written and aural music theory skills.
Primary Outcomes of Performance Based Vocal Music Instruction
A. Demonstrate the language art of reading and interpreting music notation.
B. Perform music independently and with others.
C. Describe, analyze, and create music.
D. Evaluate music by using critical thinking and listening skills.
E. Demonstrate knowledge of music history and cultural heritage.
F. Participate in the cultural/musical life of the community through involvement in local and regional music/arts opportunities.
A. Demonstrate the language art of reading and interpreting music notation.
The student will:
1. Identify the staff.
2. Correctly identify and draw whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes, and their corresponding rests.
3. Identify pitches in both treble and bass clefs.
4. Identify rhythmic values of notes and rest including whole notes/rests, half notes/rests, quarter notes/rests, eighth notes/rests, and sixteenth notes/rests.
5. Perform at sight rhythms containing whole notes/rests, half notes/rests, quarter notes/rests, eighth notes/rests, and sixteenth notes/rests. Rhythms will be written in 4/4, 3/4, or 2/4.
6. Identify and interpret rhythmic patterns that include dotted notes and rests.
7. Identify and observe the following interpretive symbols: accents, crescendo, decrescendo, dynamic markings.
8. Identify the following voice parts: soprano, alto, tenor/baritone; as well as the piano accompaniment correctly on the grand staff.
9. Identify/define the following key terms: unison, melody, harmony, a cappella, pitch, rhythm, diction, dynamics, articulation
B. Perform music independently and with others.
The student will:
1. Perform major and minor scale patterns using solfege.
2. Perform rounds in multiple parts.
3. Demonstrate correct posture.
4. Demonstrate correct breathing technique.
5. Develop and strengthen the vocal mechanism.
6. Demonstrate appropriate diction, dynamics, and articulation within concert repertoire.
7. Perform music with rhythms that contain whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes in 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, and 6/8.
8. Perform music in foreign languages.
9. Perform music in multiple voice parts.
10. Perform music with accompaniment and without accompaniment (a cappella).
11. Perform with other singers to achieve a blended ensemble sound characteristic of the music being performed at the level.
C. Describe, analyze, and create music.
The student will:
1. Identify pitches in both treble and bass clefs.
2. Define given musical terms as required within repertoire.
3. Identify and describe the elements of music including melody, harmony, rhythm, and form.
4. Analyze, write, and perform rhythmic notations containing whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes in simple and compound meters.
5. Describe time signatures appropriately (what each number means).
D. Evaluate music by using critical thinking and listening skills.
The student will:
1. Aurally identify correct performances of given rhythmic notation.
2. Aurally identify correct performances of basic pitches.
3. Aurally identify the following articulation styles: staccato and legato.
4. Aurally identify appropriate vocal tone production or inappropriate vocal tone production in performance.
5. Distinguish between different musical styles as they pertain to vocal technique.
6. Distinguish between separate voice parts in the ensemble setting.
7. Aurally evaluate his/her performance as it relates to the ensemble and needs of the music being performed.
E. Demonstrate knowledge of music history and cultural heritage.
The student will:
1. Observe and describe live and/or videotaped performances by professional singers and composers.
2. Perform music from a variety of styles and time periods.
3. Perform music in foreign languages.
4. Demonstrate discipline and appropriate performance and rehearsal etiquette and deportment.
F. Participate in the cultural/musical life of the community through involvement in local and regional music/arts opportunities.
The student will:
1. Participate in solo, small group, and large ensemble performances.
2. Participate with the chorus in public performances at school and outside venues.
3. Attend live and/or watch videotaped performances by professional singers and composers.
TEXTS/RESOURCES
Ready to Read Music Reproducible Music Theory Lessons and Quizzes (Alfred)
Garage Band Recording Software
Finale Software
Concert Repertoire
Solo Repertoire
EXPECTED LEVELS OF ACHIEVEMENT
Students taking this course will be expected to:
1. Attend class and be an active participant.
2. Bring their chorus folder and a pencil to every class.
3. Participate in all designated rehearsals and performances.
4. Demonstrate appropriate behavior in the rehearsal setting as it affects all other learners.
5. Pass all evaluations concerning material taught with a 70% minimum average.
As stated by school policy, individual grades for each quarter will be assigned according to the following scale:
A 92-100%
B 84-91%
C 76-83%
D 70-75%
E 60-69%
F 0-59%
PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATION
Students will be evaluated on:
1. Assignments
A. Written tests, quizzes, and performance evaluations
B. Classroom and performance behavior
C. Preparedness for class activities
2. Performance proficiency
A. Individual vocal assessments
B. Ensemble performance assessments