CURRICULUM MAP: 10326.map

Mixed Chorus (SCP) 876
AN OVERVIEW

TIME FRAME: FULL YEAR
GRADE: 9-12
CONTACT:

         MAP LEVEL:
01.2 THE ARTS - MUSIC

01.2.1.0.1 -- Students will sing independently on pitch and in rhythm, with appropriate timbre, diction and posture, and maintain a steady tempo

01.2.1.0.2 -- Students will sing expressively, with appropriate dynamics, phrasing and interpretation

01.2.1.0.3 -- Students will sing from memory a varied repertoire of songs representing genres and styles from diverse cultures

01.2.1.0.4 -- Students will sing ostinatos, partner songs and rounds

01.2.1.0.5 -- Students will sing in groups, blending vocal timbres, matching dynamic levels, and responding to the cues of a conductor.

01.2.1.5.1 -- Students will sing accurately and with good breath control throughout their singing ranges, alone and in small and large ensembles

01.2 THE ARTS - MUSIC

01.2.1.5.2 -- Students will sing with expression and technical accuracy a repertoire of vocal literature with a difficulty level of 2, on a scale of 1 to 6 including some songs performed from memory

01.2.1.5.3 -- Students will sing music representing diverse genres and cultures, with expression appropriate for the work being performed;

01.2.1.9.3 -- Students will demonstrate well-developed ensemble skills.

01.2.5.0.1 -- Students will read whole, half, dotted half, quarter and eighth notes and rests in 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4 meter signatures

01.2.5.0.3 -- Students will identify symbols and traditional terms referring to dynamics, tempo and articulation and interpret them correctly when performing

01.2.5.0.4 -- Students will use standard symbols to notate meter, rhythm, pitch and dynamics in simple patterns presented by the teacher

01.2 THE ARTS - MUSIC

01.2.5.5.1 -- Students will read whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth and dotted notes and rests in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, 3/8, and alla breve meter signatures

01.2.5.5.2 -- Students will read at sight simple melodies in both the treble and bass clefs

01.2.5.5.3 -- Students will identify and define standard notation symbols for pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, articulation and expression

01.2.6.0.2 -- Students will demonstrate perceptual skills by moving in response to, by answering questions about, and by describing aural examples of music of various styles representing diverse cultures

01.2.6.0.3 -- Students will use appropriate terminology in explaining music, music notation, music instruments and voices, and music performances

01.2.6.5.1 -- Students will describe specific music events in a given aural example, using appropriate terminology

01.2 THE ARTS - MUSIC

01.2.7.0.1 -- Students will devise criteria for evaluating performances and compositions

01.2.7.0.2 -- Students will explain, using appropriate music terminology, their personal preferences for specific musical works and styles.

01.2.7.5.2 -- Students will evaluate the quality and effectiveness of their own and others' performances, compositions, arrangements and improvisations by applying specific criteria appropriate for the style of the music, and offer constructive suggestions for improvement.

01.2.7.9.1 -- Students will evolve specific criteria for making informed, critical evaluations of the quality and effectiveness of performances, compositions, arrangements and improvisations and apply the criteria in their personal participation in music



1) What are the characteristics of a healthy singing voice and sound?
2) What comprises good singing posture?
3) What is breath support and breath control as it relates to singing?
4) How does one produce a healthy vocal sound while singing in a choir?
5) What are the basics of musical notation and beginning level music vocabulary and terminology?
6) What are the different genres of choral music?
7) What consitutes good performance behavior and practice?
8) How is blend and balance within the ensemble achieved?
9) How is communication established between performer and conductor in both a performance and a rehearsal setting?






This course is open to all students regardless of previous experience or talent. In serving as the foundation for the Academy choral program, it is an introductory musicianship course covering the basis of reading music, music vocabulary, vocal production, choral diction, part singing and to a lesser degree, discriminating listening to choral music. This course serves as a prerequisite to all other choral ensembles at Woodstock Academy.

It is the intention of this course to have the students enrolled for the full year. This class meets every other day. There are two sections to this ensemble. For the concerts, they are combined into one ensemble. Students will be exposed to many different types of musical literature, including but not limited to: a cappella music, spirituals, classical style literature, pop music (for Pops Concert), show tunes and folk songs, songs in other languages and multicultural music.

Currently, the concert structure in the WA Music Department is as follows:

Winter Concert- December- combined band and chorus
Mid-Year Concert- March- The enesmbles are split to perform in one of two concerts
Pops Concert/End of the Year-Combined band and chorus



The students in Mixed Chorus will develop the ability to:
-Sing with a round, supported, healthy tone
-Sing in a group, blending vocal timbres, matching dynamic levels and responding to the cues of the conductor
-Explain and demonstrate the process of breath control and breath support
-Have a working knowledge of basic music terminology such as dynamics, articulation markings, expression markings and pitch identification
-Count and perform music written in simple meter
-Perform music written for 3-Part, SAB and SATB or any combination there of in a traditional choral set up
-Perform a cappella and accompanied music of caring levels of difficulty and from many genres




In mixed chorus, the student will:
*Sing a variety of choral music from many genres, consisting of but not limited to:
A cappella music, music in foreign languages, folk songs, spirituals, showtunes, popular music, Multicultural music
*Sing music written for SAB and SATB at a level of grade 3 or higher
*Perform in a minimum of three concerts a year
*Learn the names of the pitches for the treble and bass staves
*Learn about time signatures and how to count in simple meter
*Learn basic music terminology such as legato, staccatto, accent, slur, tie, passiagio, range, articulation, fermata, coda, repeat, tonic, dominant, diction
*Learn expression markings including all markings for dynamics.
*Focus on singing with a round, healthy vocal technique
*Students will participate in a minimum of 3 concerts a year: Winter, Spring and End of the Year




Students in Mixed Chorus will be assessed via the following means:
*Multiple choice and fill in the blank quizzes on musical terminology
*Class Participation-posture, singing, marking music, questions asked or answered
*Class Preparation-folder with music and a pencil
*Concert attendance to the three concerts performed through the school year
*Students will participate in a minimum of 3 concerts a year: Winter, Spring and End of the Year
*Written final examination given in June





*The WAMD tries to take a music department trip annually to a music festival where the students can be adjudicated. This helps to give the students constructive criticism as well as reenforces the daily rehearsal concepts covered in Mixed Chorus. WAMD has traveled to such places as Toronto, Virginia Beach, New York City, Washington, D.C. and performed in the Magical Music Days at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

*Sophomores-seniors that are a member of the WAMD Choral program are eligible to audition for the extra curricular a cappella choral ensemble, the Hill Singers. One year of mixed chorus must be completed before students may audition. Special consideration may be given to transfer students.

*Any student that is a member of the WAMD Choral program is eligible to audition for the CMEA Eastern Region Music Festival and the NEMFA Music Festival. Choral department members may also be considered for nomination to the Quinebaug Valley Music Festival Honor's Chorus.




Music will be selected from the Woodstock Academy Choral Library with supplimental pieces being purchased from vendors such as J.W. Pepper. Currently, the WAMD choral library has over 800 titles.