Geneva CUSD 304 Content-Area Curriculum Frameworks Grades 6-12 Choral Music Mission Statement The mission of the Geneva C.U.S.D. 304 K-12 music education curriculum is to guide all students toward the development of a lifelong personal relationship with music, by giving every student the opportunity to develop his or her individual skills, talents, and knowledge of music to the fullest potential, through a variety of appropriate listening, performance, creative, evaluative, and learning experiences. The mission of the vocal music program of Geneva C.U.S.D. 304 is to develop in each singer a healthy vocal technique and a breadth of musical knowledge and skills, which will equip each student with the ability to participate in the choral medium throughout their lives. Course Sequence (Grades 6-12) 6 th Grade Choir (entry-level) 7 th Grade Choir (open to all students regardless of experience) 8 th Grade Choir (open to all students regardless of experience) Concert Choir (grades 9-12, non-auditioned) Treble Choir (grades 9-12, auditioned) Varsity Choir (grades 9-12, auditioned) Viking Ensemble (grades 10-12, auditioned)
Course Framework Course Title Grade Level Semesters (1-2-3-4) Prerequisite Course Description District-approved Materials and/or Resources Choral Music 6 th grade 2 semesters None Sixth grade choir is the first organized choral music ensemble class offered in District 304. This course is introductory in nature; students enrolling in this course will engage in activities designed to: Develop a distinction between the speaking voice and the singing voice Develop an understanding of proper use of the singing voice as it relates to the young-adolescent Develop early competencies in music reading; including, but not limited to basic rhythmic principles, basic sightsinging principles, and score analysis as it relates to music at this level. Provide performance opportunities integral to a choral ensemble; primarily, school concert venues. Develop age-appropriate understanding in basic performance etiquette and practice. Create personal confidence and comfort with the individual singing voice, as it relates to solo performance and ensemble participation Age-appropriate choral literature representing diverse musical styles and cultural backgrounds Patterns of Sound Music Reading Series, books 1 & 2 Easy-Rhythm Sightsinging Series, Masterworks Press Geneva Middle School South Choral Curriculum, Summer 2001 October 2012 Page 2 of 10
6 th Grade Choir Quarter One Unit of Study: major topics Illinois Learning Standards, Benchmarks, National Standards Assessment Frameworks, or other standards that will be taught in this unit Learner Outcomes Quarter 1 Concepts: Treble Clef Pitch Reading Begin Use of Solfege System, including use of Curwen handsigns Major scale/triad Pitch matching techniques Basic rhythm values including quarter, half, whole, equivalent rests, and simple time signatures Elements of the musical score Basic expressive markings Resources that will support instruction Sectionals and/or small group or individual instruction as needed Opportunities for individual singing practice Written worksheets, tests, etc. to supplement major concepts Fall concert literature National Standards for Arts Education in Music: Standard #1: Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. Standard #5: Reading and notating music. Standard #6: Listening to, analyzing, and describing music. Standard #7: Evaluating music and music performances. IL Arts Standards: 25 Know the language of the arts. 26 - Through creating and performing, understand how works of art are produced. 27 - Understand the role of the arts in civilizations, past and present. At the completion of quarter one, students will: Perform music in unison voicings, as well as rounds, partner songs, and simple two-part arrangements Apply basic rhythm concepts to music learned in class Sightsing simple melodies utilizing notes of the major scale and the solfege system. Integrate basic expressive markings in their fall concert music. Match pitch within age-appropriate guidelines and within a specified vocal range Perform the major scale and major triad individually October 2012 Page 3 of 10
Assessments Performance Tasks Weekly homework sheets Written tests and quizzes Informal individual singing assessment within small group lessons Fall concert Post-Concert Assessment Quarterly Class Participation Self- Assessment Vocal Test #1 Other Evidence Informal vocal recalls during class Ungraded rhythmic and solfege assignments completed during class Ungraded solo experiences during sectionals to evaluate vocal development and progress October 2012 Page 4 of 10
6 th Grade Choir Quarter 2 Unit of Study: major topics Illinois Learning Standards, Benchmarks, National Standards Assessment Frameworks, or other standards that will be taught in this unit Quarter 2 Concepts: Treble Clef Pitch Reading continues Solfege System, including use of Curwen handsigns minor scale/triad is introduced Pitch matching techniques Basic rhythm values including eighth note and rest, and dotted note values Sightsinging in unison; 2 parts Concert music moves away from primarily unison into two-part harmony National Standards for Arts Education in Music: Resources that will support instruction Sectionals and/or small group or individual instruction as needed Opportunities for individual singing practice Written worksheets, tests, etc. to supplement major concepts Winter concert literature Sightsinging materials Standard #1: Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. Standard #5: Reading and notating music. Standard #6: Listening to, analyzing, and describing music. Standard #7: Evaluating music and music performances. Standard #9: Understanding music in relation to history and culture. IL Arts Standards: 25 Know the language of the arts. 26 - Through creating and performing, understand how works of art are produced. 27 - Understand the role of the arts in civilizations, past and present. Learner Outcomes At the completion of quarter two, students will: Perform music in unison and two-part voicings, as well as rounds and partner songs Apply basic rhythm concepts to music learned in class Sightsing simple melodies utilizing notes of the major and minor scale and the solfege system. Integrate basic expressive markings in concert music. Match pitch within age-appropriate guidelines and within a specified vocal range Perform the major scale and major triad individually (assessment) and practice the minor scale and triad in small group lessons October 2012 Page 5 of 10
Assessments Performance Tasks Weekly homework sheets Written tests and quizzes Informal individual singing assessment within small group lessons Quarterly Class Participation Self- Assessment Vocal Test #2 Minor scale and triad Other Evidence Informal vocal recalls during class Ungraded rhythmic and solfege assignments completed during class Ungraded singing experiences during sectionals to evaluate vocal development and progress Listening activities Rhythmic/melodic dictation activities Daily sightsinging practice October 2012 Page 6 of 10
Unit of Study: major topics 6 th Grade Choir Quarter 3 Quarter 3 Concepts: Treble Clef Pitch Reading is reinforced Solfege System continues Pitch matching techniques Advanced rhythm values including compound meter and its related rhythmic values Introduce flat key signatures Sightsinging in unison; 2 parts Begin concert literature in two and three part harmony, moving toward homophonic style Resources that will support instruction Sectionals and/or small group or individual instruction as needed Opportunities for individual singing practice Written worksheets, tests, etc. to supplement major concepts Spring concert literature Sightsinging materials Listening materials from varied styles of music Vocal range assessment for each student Illinois Learning Standards, Benchmarks, National Standards Assessment Frameworks, or other standards that will be taught in this unit National Standards for Arts Education in Music: Standard #1: Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. Standard #5: Reading and notating music. Standard #6: Listening to, analyzing, and describing music. Standard #7: Evaluating music and music performances. Standard #9: Understanding music in relation to history and culture. IL Arts Standards: 25 Know the language of the arts. 26 - Through creating and performing, understand how works of art are produced. 27 - Understand the role of the arts in civilizations, past and present. Learner Outcomes At the completion of quarter two, students will: Perform music in two and three part voicings Apply advanced rhythm concepts to music learned in class Incorporate use of compound meter in concert music and sightsinging Sightsing simple melodies utilizing notes of the major and minor scale and the solfege system. Integrate basic expressive markings in concert music. Match pitch within age-appropriate guidelines and within a specified vocal range Perform the minor scale and triad (assessment) October 2012 Page 7 of 10
Apply knowledge of flat key signatures to sightsinging materials and concert music Assessments Performance Tasks Weekly homework sheets Written tests and quizzes Informal individual singing assessment within small group lessons Winter Concert Post-Concert Assessment Quarterly Class Participation Self-Assessment Vocal Test #3 Other Evidence Informal vocal recalls during class Ungraded rhythmic and solfege assignments completed during class Ungraded singing experiences during sectionals to evaluate vocal development and progress Listening activities Rhythmic dictation activities Daily sightsinging practice October 2012 Page 8 of 10
Unit of Study: major topics 6 th Grade Choir Quarter 4 Quarter 4 Concepts: Treble Clef Pitch Reading continues Solfege System continues Pitch matching across the register Introduce sharp key signatures Sightsinging in unison; 2 parts Move away from unison and simple two-part harmony to all two and three part compositions, in preparation for 7 th grade Resources that will support instruction Sectionals and/or small group or individual instruction as needed Opportunities for individual singing practice Written worksheets, tests, etc. to supplement major concepts Spring concert literature Sightsinging materials Listening materials from varied styles of music Illinois Learning Standards, Benchmarks, National Standards Assessment Frameworks, or other standards that will be taught in this unit National Standards for Arts Education in Music: Standard #1: Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. Standard #5: Reading and notating music. Standard #6: Listening to, analyzing, and describing music. Standard #7: Evaluating music and music performances. Standard #9: Understanding music in relation to history and culture. Learner Outcomes IL Arts Standards: 25 Know the language of the arts. 26 - Through creating and performing, understand how works of art are produced. 27 - Understand the role of the arts in civilizations, past and present. At the completion of quarter four, students will: Perform music in two and three part voicings Apply advanced rhythm concepts to music learned in class Sightsing simple melodies utilizing notes of the major and minor scale and solfege system, both within the section, and individually Integrate expressive markings in their spring concert music. Match pitch within age-appropriate guidelines and within a specified vocal range preparing for voice change especially in male students Apply knowledge of sharp key signatures to sightsinging materials and concert music October 2012 Page 9 of 10
Assessments Performance Tasks Weekly homework sheets Written tests and quizzes Informal individual singing assessment within small group lessons Vocal Test #4 Sightsinging Exam Complete end-of-year theory review assignment Spring Concert Post-Concert Assessment Quarterly Class Participation Self- Assessment Other Evidence Informal vocal recalls during class Ungraded rhythmic and solfege assignments completed during class Ungraded singing experiences during sectionals to evaluate vocal development and progress Listening activities Rhythmic dictation activities Daily sightsinging practice October 2012 Page 10 of 10