Liberty Middle School 2017-2018 Handbook
General Information Chorus is open to all students at Liberty Middle School. Students who register for Chorus attend class once a day the entire year. There are three choruses offered throughout the day, Eighth Grade Chorus, Seventh Grade Chorus and Sixth Grade Chorus. This year students will have the option of auditioning for IntoNation Liberty s first select a cappella ensemble. Students who take Chorus are given instruction in music reading skills and vocal development (see Course Content on the next page). Additionally, much time is spent preparing for performances at school and throughout the community. Chorus students may choose to audition for the District 9 Honor Chorus which meets in November in Cumming. Seventh and eighth graders will have the opportunity to audition for the all-state chorus, which meets in Athens in late February. All students will also have the opportunity to audition for the Forsyth County Honors Chorus which will meet in March. In the spring, each choir will compete in the Large Group Performance Evaluation in Dawsonville. Dr. Karen Graffius, Instructor Dr. Graffius is a native of Louisiana and received her Bachelor of Music Degree from Louisiana College and Master s and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees from Louisiana State University. After teaching in Louisiana for 8 years, she moved to Tennessee and taught an additional 8 years. This is her sixteenth year to teach in Forsyth County at Liberty Middle. Dr. Graffius has received numerous awards for her teaching including being named Choral Director of the Year while teaching in Baton Rouge, LA and Teacher of the Year while in LaVergne, TN.
Chorus Course Content Liberty Middle School Dr. Karen Graffius, Instructor Goals 1. To help students develop their sense of self-esteem and social growth. 2. To provide performance opportunities for students both at school and throughout the school community. 3. To develop music literacy through instruction in music fundamentals, sight-singing and rhythm. 4. To provide instruction in voice development, which is healthy, and age appropriate. 5. To increase students cultural awareness by performing literature of various cultures. Curriculum Students in chorus will have the opportunity to earn belts for completing written and performance assessments. The curriculum is listed below. Nine Week 1 Yellow Orange 2 Green Blue Curriculum Map First Semester Belt Symbols/Vocabulary/History Skills Performances Assessments Performanc e Standards Identify: Staff, Bar line, Double Bar Line, Repeat Sign, Measure, Treble Clef, Bass Clef (Yellow 3 ) Identify: Whole, Half, Dotted Half, Quarter, Eighth and Sixteenth notes and rests and Identify: Note Head, Flag, Beam and Stem (Orange 1) Identify culture and history of fall concert repertoire (Countries studied in Social Studies. (Orange 2) Identify Note and Rest Values (Green 1)(listed above 1 st 9 weeks) Define Music Symbols: Staff, Bar Line, Double Bar Line, Repeat Sign, Measure, Treble Clef, Bass Clef, Flat, Sharp, Natural, Fermata (Green 2) Define and Identify Dynamics pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff, crescendo, Solfege Hand Signs (Yellow 2) Posture (Yellow 4 SA) Sing major scale - 6 and Minor and chromatic - 7-8 (not tested) Rhythm play, count, clap or use takadimi for 4 or 8 measures with whole, half, quarter notes and quarter rests (may include dotted half, paired 8th notes and dotted quarter/eighth for 7-8) (Orange 3) (whole group) Sight-sing in various keys using above notes and rests stepwise movement only 6th skips of 3rds 7-8 whole group (not tested) Individual Voice Evaluation (Yellow 1) Rhythm play, count, clap or use takadimi for 4 or 8 measures with all above rhythms and adding paired 8th notes for 6th (Green 3) (Blue 2 add ¾ time and dotted half note - 6th) Fall Concert Oct. 9 - mandatory Friday Performance Sept 22 - optional Audition to sing National anthem optional District 9 Audition (optional) All-State Audition (optional 7-8 only) Winter Concert Dec. 13 Yellow 1 Not graded Yellow 2 - FA1-1 Skill Test demonstrate hand signs Yellow 3 FA1-2* Yellow 4 Posture SA-1 (this is a combination of teacher observation and written exam) Orange 1 FA2-1* Orange 2 FA2-2* Orange 3 FA2-3 Rhythm Skill Test Orange 4 SA-2 Fall Concert * IL quiz Green 1 - FA3-1* Green 2 - FA3-2* Green 3 - FA3-3 Rhythm Skill Test Whole Group Green 4 - SA -3 SR Skill Test MMSBC.1 a,c,d,g MMSBC.2 a MMSBC.3 a,b MMSBC.9 a,b,c,e MMSBC.1 a,c,d,f,g MMSBC.2 a MMSBC.3 a,b MMSBC.5 b MMSBC.7
decrescendo and letter names of the treble clef (Blue 1) Sight-sing in various keys using above notes and rests stepwise movement and unison 6th, skips of 3rds (domi-sol)and 2-part 7-8(Green 4) (Blue 3 add paired 8 th notes - 6th) Apply Concert Etiquette (Blue 4) Sing minor scale - 6 (not tested) Set a short fall poem to music using solfege (mandatory) Family Craft Night Dec.? (optional) The Oaks Performance Dec. 18 (optional) Whole Group Blue 1 - FA4-1* Blue 2 - FA4-2 Rhythm Skill Test Small Group Blue 3 - FA4-3 SR Skill Test Small Group - recorded Blue 4 SA-4 Winter Concert c MMSBC.9 a,b,c,e Nine Week 3 Purple Red Curriculum Map Second Semester Belt Symbols/Vocabulary/History Skills Performances Assessments GA Performance Standards Identify LGPE Judging Vocabulary: Tone, Rhythm, Ensemble, Blend, Balance, Diction, Interpretation, Dynamics, Tempo, Stage Presence (Purple 1) Discuss: Cultural, historical or literary background of LGPE music. (Purple 2) Identify letter names of the bass clef (Red 1) Identify Form Vocabulary: Binary, Ternary, Rondo, Theme and Variations (Red 2) 4 Black Explain meanings of numbers in time signatures (Black 1) Discuss: Cultural, historical or literary background of spring concert music. (Black 2) Rhythm play, count, clap or use takadimi for 8 measures with whole, half, quarter notes and rests and paired 8 th notes. 7-8 may include dotted quarter/eighth note and eighth note and eighth rest. (Purple 3) Sight-Read 4 or 8 measures in various keys in stepwise motion adding the dotted half note rhythm (6th) and the dotted quarter/eighth note rhythm (7-8). 7-8 may also include skips of 3rds. (Red 3) In parts all grades. Sing chromatic scale (not tested - 6th grade) Sing all scales 7-8 Rhythm introduce dotted quarter/eighth rhythm for 6th grade, add beamed sixteenth note 7-8 (not class tested) Introduce 6/8 time, 8 only Sight-read using all previous notes and rests (Black 7) Sing major and minor scales 6th and all scales 7-8 (Black 3) Fine Arts Night Feb. 5 (optional) Pre-LGPE Concert - March? (mandatory) LGPE March 21-23) (mandatory) Spring Concert May 14 (black 4) (mandatory) Individual/Group end of year performances (Black 5) (optional) Audition for a solo (Black 8)(optional) Purple 1 FA1-1* Purple 2 FA1-2* Purple 3 FA1-3 Rhythm Skill Test Small Group Purple 4 SA-1 Pre-lgpe Concert Red 1 FA2-1* Red 2 FA2-2* Red 3 SA-2 Whole Group (LGPE prep) Black 1 FA3-1* Black 2 FA3-2* Black 3 FA3-3* Small Group Black 4 SA - 3 Spring Concert Black 5 Optional Black 7 SA-4 Individual Sight- Reading - recorded Black 8 Optional MMSBC.1 a,c,d,g MMSBC.2 a MMSBC.3 a,b MMSBC.6 a,b,c MMSBC.7 a,b MMSBC.9 a,b,c,e MMSBC.1 a,c,d,g MMSBC.2 a MMSBC.3 MMSBC.5 a a,b MMSBC.9 a,b,c,d,e
Georgia State Curriculum Standards for Middle School Chorus The Liberty Chorus curriculum is based on the standards set by the Georgia Department of Education. These standards are based on the National Standards for Music Education. Skills and Techniques/Performance MMSBC.1 - Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music a. Demonstrate appropriate singing posture and breathing techniques. b. Identify basic vocal anatomy. c. Demonstrate pure vowel sounds and articulate voiced and unvoiced consonants. d. Utilize aural skills to match pitch, improve intonation, and sing with attention to ensemble balance and blend. e. Identify aspects of voice change as reflected in physiological changes, vocal range, tone, and vocal agility. f. Demonstrate aspects of expressive performance through dynamics, tempo and phrasing. g. Demonstrate and respond to basic conducting patterns and gestures representing tempo, expression and vocal technique. h. Sings selected music from memory for public performance at least twice per year. MMSBC.2 - Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music a. Play percussion and melodic instruments to demonstrate basic knowledge of rhythm, melody, tempo, and dynamics. b. Utilize percussion and melodic instruments to support vocal performance with attention to balance, blend, and style. MMSBC.3 - Reading and notating music a. Utilize a rhythmic and melodic language to read and sing music appropriate to ability. b. Identify basic music vocabulary and symbols representing tempo, meter, dynamics, and other expressive elements. c. Notate simple rhythms and melodies utilizing a dictation method. d. Read and notate music using software. Creation MMSBC.4 - Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments a. Improvise simple rhythmic and melodic patterns. b. Improvise variations of short melodic fragments taken from a varied repertoire of music including folk songs and chants. c. Create basic rhythmic and melodic accompaniments to support other elements of musical performance (e.g., ostinati). MMSBC.5 - Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines a. Arrange and perform existing songs by making creative decisions regarding tempo and dynamics and justify those decisions. b. Set short poetic phrases and texts to music. c. Compose short rhythms and original melodies and rhythms. Critical Analysis/Investigate MMSBC.6 - Listening to, analyzing, and describing music a. Analyze and describe a musical score in terms of melodic intervals, rhythmic structure, and musical form. b. Listen to and analyze a musical recording or video in terms of form, voicing, and dynamic contrast. c. Utilize writing skills to describe the elements of music and the emotions and thoughts that music communicates.
MMSBC.7 - Evaluating music and music performances a. Listen to and evaluate group music performances with attention to vocal technique, accuracy of pitch and rhythm, diction, and dynamics through discussion and writing. b. Reflect on the nature of performance in music through discussion and writing. c. Discuss and apply audience etiquette and active listening in selected musical settings. Cultural and Historical Context MMSBC.8 - Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts a. Identify common characteristics between music, dance arts, theatre arts, and visual arts. b. Demonstrate literacy skills through reading and discussing musical settings of varied literature. MMSBC.9 - Understanding music in relation to history and culture a. Identify historical and cultural characteristics of a varied repertoire including world music. b. Demonstrate stylistic characteristics of a varied repertoire including world music through vocal performance. c. Identify historical period, composer, culture and style of music presented in class. d. Discuss how music relates to personal development and enjoyment of life. e. Discuss the relationships between music, world events, history and culture.
How to Make an A in Chorus Your grade in chorus is an earned one. It will not be based on your ability to sing. It will be based on skill tests and quizzes in It s Learning. The majority of your grade will come from your attendance at concerts. A schedule of events for the entire year is included on the last page. All concerts marked mandatory are required. Only students who are sick (music be an excused absence from school that day or the next) or who have a death in the family will be excused from the performance. All performances are scheduled so as not to conflict with school activities. If a chorus member will be absent from a performance for any reason, contact Mrs. Graffius as soon as possible before the concert. Please mark all concert dates on your calendars at home! Grading Distribution Skill Tests and Quizzes 100 points each (20% of grade) Major Concerts, Skill Tests and Written Tests 100 points each (80% of grade)
Discipline Policy Liberty chorus students are asked to abide by the following chorus room rules and guidelines.: 1. Follow directions. 2. Be in your seat with your music by the beginning of roll call. 3. Do not chew gum. 4. Keep hands and feet to yourself. 5. Speak positively to the teacher and others. 6. Take restroom and water breaks before class. 7. No eating or drinking (except water) during class. 8. Put away chorus folders in the assigned slot at the end of class. Mrs. Graffius will also enforce the school-wide expectations and Liberty discipline plan. Students may receive strikes for violating an expectation in chorus. These strikes will be included with their overall total for the week in all their classes. Mrs. Graffius will also participate in the school wide system for awarding points for exemplary behavior.
Liberty Middle School Chorus Uniform Requirements All 6 th grade chorus members are required to purchase a chorus shirt for all performances. It is a red t-shirt with Liberty Middle School Chorus and a staff on the front. The cost of the shirt is $15. Additionally, students will be asked to wear black slacks with the shirt. No jeans or capris will be allowed. Shoes should be closed-toe brown or black. No tennis shoes please! Shirts should be tucked into the slacks. Belts should be worn with slacks that have belt loops. Students who arrive at performances improperly dressed will not be allowed to perform and will be required to complete make-up work for missing the concert. If these uniform requirements will be a financial difficulty for anyone, please contact Dr. Graffius as soon as possible. Assistance is available. Seventh and eighth grade chorus students will wear formal chorus uniforms. These uniforms are owned by Liberty and chorus students are asked to pay a $20 rental fee for the year. This fee will also cover any alterations that need to be done. A uniform fitting day is scheduled in late August. (Check the schedule of events.) Any student who would like may purchase their own uniform. The cost of the uniform is $75. The girls uniform is a long black gown and the boys wear a tuxedo shirt, black bow tie, tuxedo pants and vest. Boys and girls should wear black dress shoes.
2017-2018 Liberty Middle School Chorus Schedule of Events August 24 August 17-18 August 28 September 8 October 9 (Mon.) September 11 September 12 November 3-4 November 10 November 11 December? December 13 (Wed.) December 19 January 18 February 6-20 February 5 February 15, 16 and 17 March 9 March? March 21, 22 & 23 May 5 Sat. May 14 (Mon.) May 23 Uniform fitting after school until 5:30. For 7 th graders, new 8 th graders and any 8 th grader who needs a new size. Auditions for IntoNation New Liberty select a cappella group Before school, 7:45 8:45. Sign up for a time on one of these two days. Optional Chorus Fall Fund-raiser Optional Candy Bars Fall Concert All Grades 6 th at 6:30p.m. (Be in chorus room by 6:15.) 7 th & 8 th at 7:15p.m. (be in rotunda by 7:00). LMS Cafeteria, Mandatory Patriot Day at School 7 th and 8 th will perform Time TBA (will be a.m.) LMS Gym, Mandatory for 7 th 8th All-State audition fees due 7 th and 8 th only - Optional District 9 Honor Chorus All Grades (Optional - by invitation or audition) Cumming First United Methodist Church Veterans Day Celebration at School 6 th grade will perform Time TBA (will be a.m.) LMS Rotunda, Mandatory for 6th All-State Auditions First Round 7 th and 8 th only North Gwinnett Middle School, Times TBA Optional Holiday Craft Night Sponsored by the Art Department Chorus Students Needed to Perform - optional Winter Concert All Grades 6:30 p.m. 6 th Grade, 7:15 p.m. 7 th & 8 th Cumming First United Methodist Church, Mandatory Individual/Group Performances at The Oaks - optional Second Round All-State Auditions (Feb. 10 inclement weather day) Vickery Creek Middle School Spring Fundraiser Cookie Dough and Cheesecake Fine Arts Night, LMS Cafeteria, 7:00 (Stay after school to rehearse) optional All-State Chorus, Athens, GA Forsyth County Honor Chorus optional (by invitation or audition) All day Cumming First United Methodist Church North Forsyth Cluster Pre-Festival Concert All Grades 7:00 p.m. Cumming FUMC Mandatory Large Group Performance Evaluation Time & Specific Day TBA (during the school day) Dawson County High School, Mandatory Music in the Parks Festival Six Flags (7 th and 8 th 6 th by audition) Optional Spring Concert All Grades 6:15 p.m. 6 th, 7:00 p.m. 7 th & 8 th LMS Cafeteria, Mandatory End-of-the-Year Celebration LMS Cafeteria, 4:30 6:00 p.m. Optional