East High School

ARTS 205 | Honors Choir | Fall 2016

Instructor: Reagan Stamper | r.stamper@purduecountyschools.ky.edu

Office: Room 120-B East High School
Phone: (606) 867 - 5309
Office Hours: by appointment
Lecture: Monday Friday; 12:00pm-1:00pm
Room: 120-A East High School

Required Materials: Please bring these to class everyday

Black Folder
Pencils

Course Description:


The Honors Choir at East High is a highly select choral group. This ensemble performs
music that is challenging for most students of the high school age. The literature will range from
renaissance pieces to choral music of the 21st century. There will be a variety of concerts
throughout the semester, and will be listed in the schedule. This course is designed to introduce
students to challenging music and to create more educated singers.


Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

By the end of the semester, the student should be able to:

Use proper vocal technique when singing (posture, breath support, vowel production,
tone quality).
Use proper choral technique while singing in a group (blending, balance, clear diction,
unified vowels, flexibility, timbre).
Understand the meaning of the texts, and perform music in a way that conveys thoughts
and expression.
Demonstrate the ability to learn and memorize a variety of music.
Demonstrate growth a musician (Use of Solfege, music reading skills, expressiveness,
rhythmic and pitch accuracy, phrasing).
Serve as an ambassador to the school when required to attend field trips and tours.
Be a positive influence in the choir, and help advance their peers both musically and
personally.


Assignments:

You are required to learn eight (8) songs throughout the semester which utilize your
knowledge of musicality. Your knowledge of the material will be tested through quartets.
Quartets are due at the BEGINNING of class on the dates specified, and will be considered late if
they are performed at a later date without an excuse. Late Quartets will incur a 10% penalty,
and another 10% will be deducted for each subsequent day they are late. After 4 days
(including the due date), your assignment will not be accepted and you will receive a 0.

Assignment 1: The Star Spangled Banner

Assignment 2: My Old Kentucky Home Stephen Foster
Assignment 3: Cantate Domino Heinrich Schuetz
Assignment 4: Praise His Holy Name - Keith Hampton
Assignment 5: Peze Kafe arr. Sten Kallman
Assignment 6: The Heart's Reflection - Daniel Elder
Assignment 7: Christmas Carols
Assignment 8: Choral Songs from Wicked - Various Arrangers

Concerts are the most vital part of the class, because this is a performing ensemble. If you have
an unexcused absence, youre grade automatically drops a letter grade


Attendance:


Attendance in this class is mandatory, though you are allowed three (3) unexcused
absences throughout the semester without penalty. After the first two unexcused absences,
your grade will be lowered by 15 points for each subsequent unexcused absence. Students
with six (6) unexcused absences will receive a grade of 0 for the course. Since the groups
success and progress depends on everyone being at rehearsals, this is a most important factor
in evaluating ones contribution.

Academic Dishonesty:

Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, or helping others to commit these acts will not be
tolerate. Academic dishonest will result in severe disciplinary action including, but not limited
to, failure of the student assessment item or course, and possibly dismissal from East High. If
you are not sure what constitutes academic dishonesty, read The Wildcat: Student Handbook,
or ask your instructor.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

In compliance with the ADA, all students with a documented disability are entitled to
reasonable accommodations and services to support their academic success and safety. Though
a request for services may be made at any time, services are best applied when they are


requested at or before the start of the semester. To receive accommodations and services the
student should immediately contact the front office, and they will put you in touch with what
you need.

Campus Safety Statement:

Emergency response information will be discussed in class. Students should familiarize

themselves with the nearest exit routes in the event evacuation becomes necessary. You should
notify your instructor at the beginning of the semester if you have special needs or will require
assistance during an emergency evacuation.

Grading Structure:

The final course grade will be out of 600 points, divided as follows:

Assignment 1 50 pts
Assignment 2 50 pts
Assignment 3 50 pts
Assignment 4 50 pts
Assignment 5 50 pts
Assignment 6 50 pts
Assignment 7 50 pts
Assignment 8 50 pts
Concert 1 75 pts
Concert 2 75 pts
Final Exam 50 pts (Extra Credit Possible)

Grading Scale:

540 600 = A
480 539 = B
420 479 = C
360 418 = D
0-359 = E

Course Calendar


(**Exact due dates will not be determined until I have assessed the choirs speed and ability
to learn music. Assignments will be in the week that I have written, but exact dates will be
given during class. This is another reason why attendance is very important in this class.**)

Week 1
Begin Assignments 1 and 2.

Week 2
Quartets on Assignment 1, begin Assignment 3.

Week 3
Quartets on Assignment 2, begin Assignment 4.

Week 4
Quartets on Assignment 3, begin Assignment 5.

Week 5
Continue work on Assignments 1-5. Begin Assignment 6.

Week 6
Quartets on Assignment 4, Continue work on Assignments 1-5.

Week 7
Quartets on Assignment 5, Continue work on Assignments 1-5.

Week 8
Quartets on Assignment 6, Concert 1, October. 6

Week 9
Begin Assignment 7.

Week 10
Continue work on Assignment 7.

Week 11
Quartets on the first half of Assignment 7, Begin Assignment 8.

Week 12
Quartets on second half of Assignment 7.

Week 13
Continue work on all songs.

Week 14
Continue work on all songs.

Week 15
No Assignments; THANKSGIVING BREAK!

Week 16
Christmas Showcase Concert, Dec. 4

Finals Week 17
Critique of Concert Performance

Unit 6