Students will rehearse study materials in one weekly two-hour session.
- Vocal production
- Basic training in production of singing voice, including posture, breathing and singing of vocalises within a comfortable range for beginning students.
- Vowels and consonants.
- Unison and part singing
- Blend and balance
- Intonation
- Diction
- Interpretation
- Development of ability to sing one’s own choral part
- Development of awareness of conductor-chorister relationship
- Repertoire
- Repertoire may include the following:
- Unison, two- and three-part (SSA/SAT/SAB) music; canons
- Ensemble singing
- Vocal production
- Unison and part singing
Grades are based on the students’ regular preparation for rehearsals, attentiveness and effort during rehearsals, and musical contribution to the ensemble. Frequently during the semester, certain passages of music are assigned to be learned for an upcoming rehearsal, during which solo quartets (one singer per part) are heard by the instructor in private. Students are graded on their achievements on these assignments.
| Assigned passages (minimum 3 tests) | 60% |
| Contribution to Ensemble (musical/vocal) | 20% |
| Attitude/Effort (ongoing assessment) | 20% |
Attendance:
Every 15 minutes of unexcused absence or lateness will lower the final grade by 1%. Absence and lateness will be cumulative – whenever a student’s combined absence or lateness adds up to 15 minutes, 1% will be deducted from the final grade (an unexcused absence from a 2.5 hour rehearsal will lower the final grade 10%). A drop of 30% due to absence or lateness will result in a failing grade (i.e., three unexcused absences) and expulsion from the choir.
Students who are absent without valid excuse from a Dress Rehearsal will not be permitted to perform in the concert, and will fail the course.
Concerts:
Unexcused absence from a concert will result in a failing grade. Every 2 minutes of unexcused lateness to the warm-up and rehearsal immediately prior to a concert (the concert call) will lower the final grade by 1%. Any student who is more than 40 minutes late to a concert warm-up without valid excuse will not be permitted to perform in the concert, and will fail the course.
Absences will be excused for reasons of illness or emergency; written documentation may be required by instructor.
Attendance at all rehearsals and concerts is assumed; perfect attendance does not increase the final grade.
Students may be required to purchase one or more of the scores used during the semester.
Basic Musicianship entrance or permission of instructor.