Course

Chorus VI

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Course Code
MUSC 3240
Credits
2.00
Semester Length
15
Max Class Size
50 all levels combined
Method(s) Of Instruction
Tutorial
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
A large mixed choir that rehearses and performs standard classical choral repertoire from all historical periods. Emphasis is placed on proper vocal technique, ensemble skills, and musical style. The group performs at least once per semester.
Course Content

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.

Learning Activities

Rehearsal and performance.

Means of Assessment

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.

60%     Assigned passages (minimum 3 tests)

20%     Contribution to Ensemble (musical/vocal)

20%     Attitude / Effort (ongoing assessment)

100%

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.  A drop of 30% due to absence or lateness will result in a UN 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.

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 at a higher standard.

Learning Outcomes

Through rehearsal and performance of standard choral repertoire from all historical periods, the successful student will be able to demonstrate the fundamentals of healthy vocal technique, musical style, and ensemble performance and discipline.

Textbook Materials

Students may be required to purchase one or more of the scores used during the semester.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for MUSC 3240
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Summer 2024