Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology. A Cappella Choir. Grade 10, 11, or 12. Prerequisite: Concert Choir or Chorale.

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1 Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology Grade 10, 11, or 12 Prerequisite: Concert Choir or Chorale Credit Value: 5 ABSTRACT The primary focus of the course is to provide students with the opportunity to sing advanced choral literature with a mature, rich, and balanced sound. Breathing, diction, expression, intonation, vowel unification, and sight-singing are cultivated to enhance sound in performance. Students learn soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone choral selections of various styles and cultures and are well prepared to audition for college-level vocal ensembles upon completion of this course. Adopted by the Somerville Board of Education on September 23, 2008

2 Grade 10, 11, or 12 Month/ Marking Period Marking Period I Marking Period II Marking Period III Marking Period IV NJCCCS: B B B B1-5 Essential Question: What skills are necessary What challenges are How do the performance How does tone quality to properly execute presented by various musical practices of varied composers enhance performances? complex harmonies? styles in performances? compare and contrast? Content: Advanced Music Practice Winter Concert Repertoire Performance Practice Spring Concert Repertoire Skills and Topics: demonstrate proper posture and breathing techniques achieve pure matched vowels in singing identify examples of quality vocal production demonstrate forward resonance employ diaphragmatic support in singing distinguish between head voice and chest voice recognize vocal timbres and their causes Assessments: achieve vocal part independence recognize and identify color tones within harmonic structure achieve balance within a given chord identify examples of advanced harmonies identify intervals in written compositions employ solfeggio in sightreading demonstrate the ability to sing in tune demonstrate the ability to sing major and chromatic scales utilize memorized pitches, rhythms, and text in performance critique the holiday concert performance using a scoring rubric of Contemporary Styles identify similarities and differences among contemporary styles demonstrate appropriate stylistic nuances employ authentic interpretation in singing utilize memorized pitches, rhythms, text, and choreography in performance critique the Showcase of the Arts performance using a scoring rubric compare and contrast spring concert repertoire analyze written music for harmonic structure, rhythmic interpretation, and expression demonstrate an understanding of a variety of musical style periods interpret performance to appropriately reflect stylistic consideration utilize memorized pitches, rhythms, and text in performance critique the spring concert performance using a scoring rubric

3 Grade 10, 11, or 12 Month/ Marking Period Assessments: Resources: Technology: Writing: Careers: Marking Period I Marking Period II Marking Period III Marking Period IV Individual scale testing Concert evaluation Midterm examination Appropriate selection for the singing portion of the midterm examination Concert evaluation Sight-singing quiz Concert evaluation Final examination Appropriate selection for the singing portion of the final examination Applicable career options are discussed as they arise throughout music program. Career options include, but are not limited to, the following: music arranging, music composition, music education, music management, music performance, music production, music therapy, recording engineer, and sound engineer.

4 Course Requirements Grade: 10, 11, or 12 Prerequisite: Concert Choir or Chorale Credit Value: 5 Length of Course: Academic Year Course Description The primary focus of the course is to provide students with the opportunity to sing advanced choral literature with a mature, rich, and balanced sound. Breathing, diction, expression, intonation, vowel unification, and sight-singing are cultivated to enhance sound in performance. Students learn soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone choral selections of various styles and cultures and are well prepared to audition for college-level vocal ensembles upon completion of this course. Course Content This course will consist of the following units of study: Advanced Music Practice Winter Concert Repertoire Performance Practice of Contemporary Styles Spring Concert Repertoire Course Objectives The student will demonstrate the ability to answer in detail the following essential questions: How does tone quality enhance performances? What skills are necessary to properly execute complex harmonies? What challenges are presented by various musical styles in performances? How do the performance practices of varied composers compare and contrast?

5 Evaluation Process A final average of 65% or better is required. Throughout the length of this course, students will be evaluated on the basis of: Unit and Performance Assessments Projects Class Participation Homework Writing Assignments Midterm Examination (10% of course grade for the year) Final Examination (10% of course grade for the year)

6 Student Agreement STUDENT NAME: GRADE: Last Name First Name My signature below indicates that I have received my copy of the Somerville Public Schools Course Requirements for. I acknowledge my responsibility to read and understand all of the information contained in the Course Requirements information and syllabus packet. Student Signature Date Note: Be sure to share the course requirements for with your parents.