Rehearsal and performance
Vocal techniques: Breath support, phonation, resonance, diction (vowel and consonant formation), various visual and physical techniques to encourage healthy singing.
Ensemble techniques: Choral blend, intonation, understanding conducting gestures.
Repertoire: Standard choral repertoire from all historical periods; works in various languages (most commonly Latin, German, French and Italian as well as English) will be prepared, with appropriate attention given to correct pronunciation. Each work will be performed in an appropriate style.
Through rehearsal and performance of standard choral repertoire from all historical periods, the successful student should learn the fundamentals of healthy vocal technique, musical style, and ensemble performance and discipline.
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 achievement on these assignments.
It is expected that students in third and fourth years will demonstrate a higher level of ensemble skills and musicianship than students in first and second years. They will be assessed using the same criteria but evaluated by a higher standard.
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 (and unexcused absence from a 2 hour rehearsal will lower the final grade by 8%). A drop of 30% due to absence or lateness will result in a failing grade 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 a 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 must be provided.
Attendance at all rehearsals and concerts is assumed; perfect attendance does not increase the final grade.
Rehearsal and performance