HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Middle School Choir

6-8
Course Length: Varied, from 9 weeks through whole year
Weekly schedule: Varied, from once a week to every day
Course Description: The choir program is a study of vocal music. The curriculum teaches vocal
technique, music theory, performance, both individual and ensemble skills through literature in a historical
and multi-cultural context. The choirs provide all interested students an opportunity to study and perform a
variety of music. Performances are an integral part of the music curriculum. Performances could include
concerts, festivals, solos, ensembles, and appearances within the community.
Component Goals: Technical Skills
1. Increase student sensitivity to vocal health
2. Introduce the concept of personal alignment
3. Introduce the concept of breath management
4. Introduce the physiology of the voice
5. Introduce the concept of resonance on tone
6. Introduce articulation skills
7. Introduce awareness of meters in 2, 3 and 4
8. Teach the pattern of whole and half steps in the diatonic scale
9. Expand vocal range
10. Introduce awareness of different acoustical environments
11. Regular use of solfege syllables
12. Introduce and develop performance skills
13. Introduce and develop music reading skills

Student Outcomes:

HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The student will:
1. Recognize good vocal health practices:
a. Related to noisy environments
b. Related to hydration
c. Related to personal health
d. Related to comfortable vocal range
2. Demonstrate proper alignment
a. Balanced distribution of weight
b. Lifted sternum
c. Elongated spine
d. Shoulders up, back, and down
3. Demonstrate efficient breathing for singing
a. Open mouth, drop jaw
b. Shoulders and chest in relaxed position, not moving
c. Quiet breaths
4. Recognizes function of the larynx
a. Locate vocal folds
b. Show size of folds
c. Sing varied pitches
5. Recognizes effect of proper resonance
a. Sing with vertical vowels
b. Sing with horizontal vowels
6. Demonstrate vocal articulation
a. Sing words with applicable beginning and ending sounds
b. Use tongue to change tone
7. Demonstrate duple and triple meters
8. Sing the diatonic scale
9. Demonstrate personal vocal range
10. Experience singing in different environments
11. Sing songs and exercises with solfege syllables when applicable
12. Perform comfortably alone, in small groups, and with the entire group
13. Sight read/sing appropriate songs and exercises

Course Name:
Grade Level:

Middle School Choir

6-8

HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Component Goals: Rhythmic Skills
1. Introduce the concept of rhythm as a component of music
2. Develop specific rhythmic skills needed for the repertoire
Student Outcomes:
The student will:
1. Recognize, identify, and perform simple meters.
a. Duple
b. Triple
c. Quadruple
2.

Read, identify, and perform varied rhythmic patterns from selected repertoire

Component Goals: Listening Skills

1. Introduce ensemble listening skills
2. Introduce the physics of sound
3. Develop listening skills for evaluation of self and others
Student Outcomes:
The student will:
1. Evaluate appropriate tone quality, rhythmic interpretation, phrasing, form, expression, and dynamics
2. Identify various performance genres
3. Distinguish a cappella singing from accompanied singing
3.

Identify aurally the various vocal ranges: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass

Component Goals: Musical Notation Skills

1. Recognize age appropriate musical notation
2. Demonstrate knowledge of age appropriate musical notation
Student Outcomes:
The student will:
1. Read, count and perform notation.
a. Terms
b. Rhythm
c. Interpretative symbols
d. Articulation symbols

HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION
2. Transcribe basic musical notation
3. Sight read music equivalent to MSVMA JH primary level
4. Demonstrate basic melodic and rhythmic dictation skills

Component Goals: Literature

1.
2.

Periods and styles will be introduced through choral literature.

Introduce multi-cultural music through literature.

Student Outcomes:
Through listening, study, and/or performance experience(s), the student will be able to:
1.

Relate studied choral literature to its historical time period

2.

Demonstrate basic stylistic elements from the studied literature.

3.

Demonstrate knowledge of the cultural context of the studied literature.

4.

Student awareness of the following:

Music is a part of our everyday lives and lifetime experiences.

Music conveys messages and communicates ideas.

Music as a universal language crosses historical, geographical and political boundaries.

Music is a reflection of the nature of the culture, historical period or social context from which it
comes.
Music of each culture has its own set of aesthetic values.

The values of a society are reflected in the musical forms created.

The values of a society determine the status of its creators and performers.

Musical knowledge enables the development of tolerance and respect for tradition and
innovation.

Composers and performaners are artisis creating or expressing their ideas through music

Component Goals: Performance Skills

1. Introduce and provide opportunities for individual and ensemble experiences
2.

Provide a culminating performance experience

HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Student Outcomes:
The student will:
1.

Demonstrate proper etiquette as a performer and listener

2.

Perform developmentally appropriate individual and ensemble pieces

3.

Demonstrate ability to interpret conductors gestures

4.

Demonstrate the integration of technical, rhythmic, listening, translation, and analytical skills
through performance

5.

Develop and use tuning, listening and rehearsal techniques for the choral ensemble

EVALUATION;
Students will be evaluated through their performance, rehearsal practices, and written work.
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES:
1. Selected recordings, computer software and other audio-visual aids.
2. Various music theory text/work books.
3. Appropriate representative literature.