Choir Syllabus
Abraham Lincoln High School
2014-2015
Teacher Name: Lynne Boyd
Course: Choir
Room: D129 & D149
After School Hours: By Appointment, please
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Phone Number: 712-328-6481,
Extension # 12182
Description of Course (Program of Study):
Choir is designed for all students to have the opportunity to refine their performance skills as individuals and as an ensemble and to enhance their understanding and knowledge of music as a world language. Students are given required private instruction. Performances are a major part of choir, and students are expected to participate in all out-of-school activities
Course Standards/Essential Learnings:
The student will learn the basic terminology of music.
The student will learn basic theory including intervals, key signatures, scales, chords.
The student will learn time signatures and rhythm reading. (Show Choir as related to dance as well)
The student will learn the history of choir music in American and world culture.
The student will perform a variety of choir literature.
The student will learn to analytically listen to a variety of choral music.
TEXTS:
Lesson Books as assigned by the teacher to match ability of student
Theory and Rhythm Handout sheets Choral Music History worksheets
Research projects on chrome notebooks
Web sites available for student & parent use:
Found on the Choir Website: www.alhschoir.weebly.com
Daily Materials needed by students:
Sharp Pencil, pens not allowed
Choir Folder (Do Not Take Home)
All Music must be in the folder for every class. It is your responsibility to make certain you bring your music back to school if you take it home to practice.
Grading
51% Performance Grades (Includes exams, lessons, 1 project, and public performances
49% Practice (Includes worksheets, rehearsal process, sightreading exercises)
Final Exams: Theory learned within the trimester and sight reading.
Grading and Evaluation:
A four-point rubric scale will be used to measure student learning on individual assessments.
4 Mastery
3 Proficient
2 Approaching Proficiency
1 Still working
Progress and semester grades will be assigned using the following scale.
3.51 to 4.0 A
2.51 to 3.50 B
1.51 to 2.50 C
0.51 to 1.50 D
Homework: Homework may be re-submitted within the academic trimester as the goal is mastery of the concept. Failure to not do homework at all will result in a zero. You must attempt to do the work. I am available any day after school for help.
Makeup Work: Ask the teacher the day you return from class to see what you have missed. This is your responsibility. You can also ask other students for their notes or what you may have missed, but it is always best to ask the teacher.
Attendance at all performances is required. Performances may not be made up. The performance calendar will be available early in the year. Any potential conflicts need to be discussed with Ms. Boyd well before they arise.
Performance Dress:
Men: Black dress shoes/socks/pants, dress shirt & tie (any color)
Women: Black dress pants/socks/shoes, any blouse that is school appropriate and dressy.
Room Guidelines
Abraham Lincoln High School
2014-2015
Teacher Name: Lynne Boyd
Course: Choir
Room: D129 & D149
After School Hours: By Appointment, please
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Phone Number: 712-328-6481,
Extension # 12182
Description of Course (Program of Study):
Choir is designed for all students to have the opportunity to refine their performance skills as individuals and as an ensemble and to enhance their understanding and knowledge of music as a world language. Students are given required private instruction. Performances are a major part of choir, and students are expected to participate in all out-of-school activities
Course Standards/Essential Learnings:
The student will learn the basic terminology of music.
The student will learn basic theory including intervals, key signatures, scales, chords.
The student will learn time signatures and rhythm reading. (Show Choir as related to dance as well)
The student will learn the history of choir music in American and world culture.
The student will perform a variety of choir literature.
The student will learn to analytically listen to a variety of choral music.
TEXTS:
Lesson Books as assigned by the teacher to match ability of student
Theory and Rhythm Handout sheets Choral Music History worksheets
Research projects on chrome notebooks
Web sites available for student & parent use:
Found on the Choir Website: www.alhschoir.weebly.com
Daily Materials needed by students:
Sharp Pencil, pens not allowed
Choir Folder (Do Not Take Home)
All Music must be in the folder for every class. It is your responsibility to make certain you bring your music back to school if you take it home to practice.
Grading
51% Performance Grades (Includes exams, lessons, 1 project, and public performances
49% Practice (Includes worksheets, rehearsal process, sightreading exercises)
Final Exams: Theory learned within the trimester and sight reading.
Grading and Evaluation:
A four-point rubric scale will be used to measure student learning on individual assessments.
4 Mastery
3 Proficient
2 Approaching Proficiency
1 Still working
Progress and semester grades will be assigned using the following scale.
3.51 to 4.0 A
2.51 to 3.50 B
1.51 to 2.50 C
0.51 to 1.50 D
Homework: Homework may be re-submitted within the academic trimester as the goal is mastery of the concept. Failure to not do homework at all will result in a zero. You must attempt to do the work. I am available any day after school for help.
Makeup Work: Ask the teacher the day you return from class to see what you have missed. This is your responsibility. You can also ask other students for their notes or what you may have missed, but it is always best to ask the teacher.
Attendance at all performances is required. Performances may not be made up. The performance calendar will be available early in the year. Any potential conflicts need to be discussed with Ms. Boyd well before they arise.
Performance Dress:
Men: Black dress shoes/socks/pants, dress shirt & tie (any color)
Women: Black dress pants/socks/shoes, any blouse that is school appropriate and dressy.
Room Guidelines
- Be on time, be ready to learn, be in your seats, have your pencil, music and other materials for class by the time the bell ring rings, and take care of your music, returning it to its designated slot at the end of the rehearsal
- Follow directions the first time given
- Keep hands and feet to yourself, no physical contact
- No talking in class unless directed by instructor.
- No cell phone or electronics at all during class time
- Food, drink and gum stay outside of the classroom.
ALHS Choir Rehearsal Process Rubrics
Choir is a team activity. A student’s behavior and attitude directly affect the quality of the choir. If the student is doing anything else besides participating, such as talking, using cell phones or other electronics, doing other homework, sleeping, physical contact with other students (unless instructed), or communicating in a nonverbal way with another student, then that student is taking up the time of the other students and is not following the correct rehearsal process. The following rubric makes up a weekly grade in choir.
Musicianship
4 Student sings when asked, striving to sing with a beautiful tone, to blend within his/her section and the choir as a whole, and blend with the choir.
3 ……with one or two exceptions
2 ……with 3 or more exceptions
1 …….rarely
Technique.
4 While singing, the student sits or stands with proper posture independently. The student always exhibits low,
relaxed, controlled breathing without having to be reminded.
3 The students sits or stands with proper posture and exhibits relaxed low breathing with few reminders from the teacher
2 The student " " with many reminders from the teacher
Timeliness
4 Student is in his/her seat ready to sing by the time the class bell rings
3 Student is in his/her seat ready to sing by the time the bell rings with one exception
2 Student is in his/her seat ready to sing by the time the bells rings with 2 exceptions.
1 Student is rarely in his/her seat ready to sing by the time the tardy bell rings
Preparation
4 Student brings music and a pencil and has items ready by the time the bell rings
3 Student brings music and a pencil with one or two exceptions…..
2 Student brings music and a pencil…….
1 Student rarely brings music and a pencil……
Behavior
4 Student focuses on the instructor and does not talk, interact with others, use cell phones
or any electronic device during rehearsals
3 ……with one or two exceptions
2 ……with 3 or more exceptions
1 ……rarely
Focus
4 The student focuses on the instructor and follows directions immediately. The student raises
his/her hand when there is a question, and the question pertains to what is immediately going on in
the classrooom
PERFORMANCE GRADES: These are made up of quizzes, tests, and performances. Attendance at public performances is mandatory. Quizzes and tests will be over theory, keyboard knowledge, sightreading, melodic dictation, and music history. The Concert Choir will be tested in octets over music to be performed.
PERFORMANCE DRESS: In Concert Choir all students will be wearing robes. All students must also wear black dress pants, black dress shoes, and men need to wear black dress socks. Women need to adjust the length of the pant and the type of shoe so that no skin is showing. Varsity and Mixed Choir women need to wear nice, school appropriate dresses or skirts/blouses with dress shoes. Men need to wear dress shirt, pants, shoes, and socks.
Choir is a team activity. A student’s behavior and attitude directly affect the quality of the choir. If the student is doing anything else besides participating, such as talking, using cell phones or other electronics, doing other homework, sleeping, physical contact with other students (unless instructed), or communicating in a nonverbal way with another student, then that student is taking up the time of the other students and is not following the correct rehearsal process. The following rubric makes up a weekly grade in choir.
Musicianship
4 Student sings when asked, striving to sing with a beautiful tone, to blend within his/her section and the choir as a whole, and blend with the choir.
3 ……with one or two exceptions
2 ……with 3 or more exceptions
1 …….rarely
Technique.
4 While singing, the student sits or stands with proper posture independently. The student always exhibits low,
relaxed, controlled breathing without having to be reminded.
3 The students sits or stands with proper posture and exhibits relaxed low breathing with few reminders from the teacher
2 The student " " with many reminders from the teacher
Timeliness
4 Student is in his/her seat ready to sing by the time the class bell rings
3 Student is in his/her seat ready to sing by the time the bell rings with one exception
2 Student is in his/her seat ready to sing by the time the bells rings with 2 exceptions.
1 Student is rarely in his/her seat ready to sing by the time the tardy bell rings
Preparation
4 Student brings music and a pencil and has items ready by the time the bell rings
3 Student brings music and a pencil with one or two exceptions…..
2 Student brings music and a pencil…….
1 Student rarely brings music and a pencil……
Behavior
4 Student focuses on the instructor and does not talk, interact with others, use cell phones
or any electronic device during rehearsals
3 ……with one or two exceptions
2 ……with 3 or more exceptions
1 ……rarely
Focus
4 The student focuses on the instructor and follows directions immediately. The student raises
his/her hand when there is a question, and the question pertains to what is immediately going on in
the classrooom
PERFORMANCE GRADES: These are made up of quizzes, tests, and performances. Attendance at public performances is mandatory. Quizzes and tests will be over theory, keyboard knowledge, sightreading, melodic dictation, and music history. The Concert Choir will be tested in octets over music to be performed.
PERFORMANCE DRESS: In Concert Choir all students will be wearing robes. All students must also wear black dress pants, black dress shoes, and men need to wear black dress socks. Women need to adjust the length of the pant and the type of shoe so that no skin is showing. Varsity and Mixed Choir women need to wear nice, school appropriate dresses or skirts/blouses with dress shoes. Men need to wear dress shirt, pants, shoes, and socks.