CCCEPA
VOCAL
DIVISION HANDBOOK
2009-2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Course Objectives, Policies and Procedures, and Grading System 2-3
Keyboard and Theory Class Information 4-5
Senior Recital and Theory Project Information 5
2009-2010 Vocal Division Calendar 6
Recommended Voice Teachers and Contact Information 7-8
Assistant Conductor Program 9
Fees/Fee Submission Form 10
Pebblebrook Choral Music Department
Course Objectives
Every effort is made to provide students with good musical literature. The Cobb County Curriculum Guide and Course Objectives serve as the basis for music selection. Educational and historical significance is of primary concern. This course is offered with the goal of helping the student become a consumer of music both through performance and active classroom participation. A student participation in performing groups is expected to attend any rehearsals and performances scheduled outside regular school hours. Students in a choral music course are expected to show a certain level of improvement from the performance ability exhibited at the start of the semester to the final grade reporting procedure. The student is responsible for knowing grading criteria and the expectancies determined by the teacher.
CONTENT:
I. Tone production/intonation
II. Proper breath support and control
III. Scales: Major, Minor, Chromatic
IV. Tonal memory
V. Piano skills: students are placed in individualized programs depending on experience
VI. Music reading: a) intervallic relationships, b) rhythmic accuracy, c) sight-reading.
VII. Musical interpretation: a) style, b) dynamics, c) phrasing.
VIII. Ensemble awareness: a) musical, b) social (i.e. group participation and cooperative experiences), c) responsibilities (ie. Group accountability, peer interaction, and cooperative skills), d) reliability (i.e. personal discipline and dependability)
IX. Study of standard choral literature from various periods of music history
Policies and Procedures
1.) Each student will be in his/her seat (with music and pencil) when the bell rings and remain in the seat until the period ends. “Tardies” will be assigned according to school policy. Please leave books, purses, food, cosmetics, and other personal items in the areas indicated by the teacher.
2.) Music and folders are issued to you as a textbook. Return them to the proper folder slot at the end of each rehearsal. Lost/damaged folders or music will be treated as a lost textbook for which a fine is imposed. Failure to have your own folder and music will result in loss of points and possible detention.
3.) The grand piano in the vocal room is for faculty use ONLY as it must remain in tune for frequent auditions, recitals, and shows.
4.) CONCERT AND REHEARSAL ATTENDANCE IS EXPECTED! Performance dates are announced well in advance so that you may make plans with families and employers. Any absences will require a written excuse just as in other academic classes (see Grading System).
5.) CONCERT DRESS: We are fortunate to be able to provide robes/costumes for a nominal rental fee. Students may be asked to wear designated outfits for special concerts and performance events. Care will be taken to avoid excessive expense to the student.
6.) FEES: Occasionally, students will be asked to contribute funds to cover expenses incurred on their behalf. (i.e. robe rental, all-state entry fees, etc…) Every effort is made to keep requests for such monies to a minimum. While such contributions are necessary, no student will be penalized for financial reasons.
7.) “Yellow Slip” Infractions: Infractions include, but are not limited to, excessive talking, disruption, food, drink, gum, candy, toys, iPods, headphones, rudeness, vulgarity, disrespectful behavior toward other students, and failure to bring text/folder/pencil. 1st and 2nd: Teacher detention (Thursday 7:50AM – 8:10AM OR 4:15PM – 4:35PM)
3rd: Teacher detention (same times as above) and parent contact
4th: Refer to administrator
8). Absence: Performing Arts vocal students are asked to call the choral office or e-mail Mr. Case by 8AM of the day missed in the event of an unexpected absence from school. The choral office phone number is (770) 819-2521, ext. 285. Mr. Case’s e-mail is . Such notification makes it possible for adjustments to be made in the daily rehearsal schedule to make maximum use of the time with the students who are present. Students will be allowed to make up assignments, tests, and homework missed due to an excused absence. Make-up work may be turned in within two days of the student’s return to school without penalty. Assignments drop one letter grade for each day that they are late. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO COLLECT ANY MISSED WORK!!!
Grading Policy
Performing and Analyzing (50% of final grade)
Performing The student will be graded on his/her solo, small ensemble and choir concert performance. The assessment will include note and rhythm accuracy, interpretation, and memorization (if required). The student may also be tested on his/her knowledge of specific texts in various languages. The student is expected to have all materials necessary for performance including music, black folder, and appropriate attire. This category includes piano assessment (see page 4).
Analyzing Students will be tested on their knowledge and application of essential music theory practices.
Rehearsing/Practicing/Reading/Writing (30% of final grade)
Rehearsing Each student will receive 18 weekly rehearsal grades during the semester. You must be prepared for class, be on time, have the necessary materials (music, pencil, portfolio, etc…), and participate in all activities. Points will be deducted for excessive talking, tardies, no pencil, no music, chewing gum, eating, drinking, and lack of participation. Each day is worth 20 points toward the weekly rehearsal grade. You will be allowed to do make-up work for excused absences. (See Suggestions for Make-up Work posted in ensemble room).
Practicing Daily class-work and homework assignments are equally weighted throughout the grading period. Practice tests are given weekly and may include vocal (pre-selected repertoire or sight-singing), piano or theory.
Reading Students will be tested weekly on reading and comprehension skills.
Writing Students will be given a weekly essay assignment which will be graded using a standardized writing rubric. Additionally, students will be required to submit written critiques of two Pebblebrook performances which they attend as a member of the audience and not as a performer (vocal, dance, drama, band, orchestra). During spring semester, each student must attend at least one senior vocal recital and one Pebblebrook performance and submit written critiques.
Final Exam (20% of final grade) The final exam is comprehensive.
Concerts and Rehearsals Policy Performances and rehearsals before and after school are an integral part of a basic music education and are crucial to our success. You are expected to be present at such activities. You will always be given at least two weeks’ notice before extra rehearsals/performances are scheduled so that you can make arrangements with families and employers. Submit to the directors, in writing, the nature of any conflict at least ONE week prior to the concert or rehearsal. Each will be considered. Make-up points for missed performances may be earned by writing an eight-page, typed research paper on a music topic of the faculty’s choosing. For missed rehearsals, see Suggestions for Make-up Work posted in Ensemble Room. Rehearsals are worth 100 pts.
IMPORTANT!!!: PERFORMING ARTS STUDENTS MUST MAKE 80 OR BETTER IN THEIR MAJOR AREA IN ORDER TO PASS THE CLASS AND REMAIN A PART OF THE PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM. CHOIR PLACEMENT IS DETERMINED BY A COMPOSITE SCORE USING THE FOLLOWING THREE COMPONENTS: FINAL EXAM GRADE, JURY AUDITION, AND CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR AND WORK ETHIC.
2009-2010 Keyboard Studies
Group I
Alfred’s Basic Piano Library
Lesson Book, Level I
Students will learn basic piano skills, including: note names and values, clef signs, time signatures, hand positions and primary chords for the key of C and G major, fingering, intervals, music terms and signs, triads, pedaling and selected major scales. Each student’s grade will be based upon their knowledge of above material and ability to perform selected repertoire from Alfred’s Basic Piano Library.
Group II
Alfred’s Basic Piano Library
Lesson Book, Level I and II
Students will learn triads, intervals, fingering, pedaling, extended hand positions, triplets, syncopation, music terms and signs, primary chords for the key of F major, A and D minor and selected major and minor scales. Student’s grade will be based upon their knowledge of above material and ability to perform selected repertoire from Alfred’s Basic Piano Library and/or other supplement material from the CCCEPA piano library.
Group III
Alfred’s Group Piano
The student will be assigned selected lessons in Alfred’s Group Piano and will be graded based on their accuracy and completion of that lesson. Students will be assigned additional repertoire taken from the CCCEPA piano library and graded according to their performance in a solo, duet or group performance. There will be one piano recital per semester and selected students will perform. Seniors will learn all major scales (one octave) and they will perform selected scales for their final piano grade.
2009-2010 Music Theory Studies
(Basic Music Theory is a part of the curriculum in each choir)
MUSIC THEORY
Every student has a place in our rigorous Music Theory classes. Our curriculum spans from the most basic fundamentals offered in Vocal Concentration all the way through the college-level concepts taught in our Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory class. The text for the course, The Complete Essentials of Music Theory, is provided to each student in Vocal Concentration. Students who have completed Vocal Concentration are expected to retain their texts year-to-year.
Vocal Concentration will cover notes names and values, common time signatures, basic rhythms, dynamic markings, tempo markings, articulations, road maps, flats/sharps/naturals, whole/half steps, enharmonic notes, and an introduction to key signatures.
Mixed Repertory will begin with key signatures and progress through intervals, circle of fifths, compound time signatures, triads, scale degree names, V7 chords, and an introduction to chord progressions.
Chamber theory classes begin with a review of key signatures and intervals that quickly progresses to triads and chord progressions. There is special emphasis on ear training, sight reading and dictation.
AP MUSIC THEORY:
The goal of the AP Music Theory course is to develop a student's ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. The achievement of these goals may best be approached by initially addressing fundamental aural, analytical, and compositional skills using both listening and written exercises. Building on this foundation, the course progresses to include more creative tasks, such as the harmonization of a melody by selecting appropriate chords, composing a musical bass line to provide two-voice counterpoint, and the realization of figured-bass notation. The text for the course is Tonal Harmony with an Introduction to Twentieth-Century Music by Kostka and Payne.
2009-2010 SENIOR VOICE RECITALS AND SENIOR PROJECTS
All seniors are required to either perform a recital or complete a theory project before May, 2009.
2
2
If you choose to perform a recital, it must be 20 minutes of well-rehearsed material. This may include opera, musical theatre, classical art song literature and other music approved by the faculty ahead of time. At least two of the pieces must be classical art songs – only one of which can be from the Italian Art Song book. The music must be memorized and, where appropriate, staged for performance.
Seniors choosing to do a recital will have to pass a jury performance in front of the faculty one month prior to the expected date of the recital. At the jury, ALL music must be memorized and polished with accompaniment. The recital program should be typed, following a standard format which will be described by your teachers. The senior recitals will be graded based upon preparation, the actual performance, concert etiquette, and appropriate attire. Any food or drink for a reception may be served only AFTER the recital--NOT during intermission.
Ms. White and Ms. Palmer will have sign-up sheets for both the recital performance dates and 2 hours of rehearsal time; you are expected to come to rehearsals well-prepared and have given the music to your accompanist before your rehearsal time to make the best possible use of that time. Should you need extra time, it will be at the discretion of the teachers.
If you choose to do the theory project, it will involve writing a paper and presenting it to your class. Subject matter will include your strategies and curriculum for an entry level choral music class. It will also cover Reading Music, Vocal Technique, Sight-Reading, Tonal Memory and any additional areas you find necessary. The presentation and paper will be due the day senior exams are given.
You must notify Ms. White and Ms. Palmer which option you are choosing by Friday, January 8, 2010. If you do not, your only option will be to do the theory project.
Performing Arts Vocal Season
(all dates are required unless otherwise indicated)
August:
17 Solo/Ensemble Auditions (Optional) 4:00 – 8:00pm
21 Vocal Workshop Concert 7:30pm (stay after school)
26-28 National Anthem Competition (Optional) during class
28 Fees due
28-30 18-Voice retreat to North Carolina (18-Voice only)
September:
26 Solo Festival at Pebblebrook (Optional) All day
October:
7 Performing Arts College Fair (Optional) 1:00 – 3:00pm
10 All-State Chorus Auditions All day
27 Fall Vocal Concert 7:30pm (stay after school)
November:
10 County Level GHP Auditions (Selected students)
12-14 High School Honor Choir (Selected students)
December:
10 Vocal Holiday Concert 7:30pm (stay after school)
17 – 20 “Home for the Holidays” (Chamber Choir only)
January:
9 All-State Chorus final auditions (Selected students) All day
February:
TBA Senior Recitals TBA
6 State Level GHP Auditions (Selected students) All day
8 Auditions – Pirates of Penzance (Optional) TBA
24-28 All-State Chorus in Savannah (Selected students)
March:
TBA Senior Recitals
15, 16 HS Choral Performance Evaluation (Festival)
April:
TBA Senior Recitals
May:
3-14 Performing Arts Juries TBA
14 Spring Vocal Concert
Private Voice Lessons
We strongly encourage students to study CLASSICAL voice privately. One-on-one instruction is essential to developing a singer’s full potential. There are many voice teachers in the area. Some are good, many are not. Be certain that you get the most for your investment. Ask potential voice teachers for their credentials. They should be members of a professional organization such as the National Association of Teachers of Singing or Music Educators National Conference. They should be singers themselves with substantial performing resumes. Lessons should include very detailed and specific instruction in vocal technique (breath support, placement, laryngeal function). Teachers should be knowledgeable of diction in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Latin.