Choir Syllabus (Oswego East High School Choirs)

Choir Syllabus

2009-2010 Choir Class Schedule

Block
1	Concert (Blue)
2	Chorale/Treble (Silver)
3	A Cappella (Silver) / Women`s Choir (Blue)
4	Music Theory (Blue & Silver)

COURSE DESCRIPTION :

As part of their participation in choir, students will:

· Learn about the arts through performance.

· Gain skill at interpreting written notation.

· Become more reflective performers and listeners.

· Connect the arts with society and various cultures.

· Have fun making great music together!

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

· Black ½" 3-ring binder

· Pencils

· Music provided by the instructor ($3.00 replacement fee per copy)

GRADING:

Weekly Participation Grade: 50%

Quizzes & Homework: 10%

Patron of the Arts & Biography Projects: 25%

Concert Performance: 15%

PARTICIPATION GRADE:

At the end of each week, each student will be given a grade (out of 20 points) for their class participation. The following expectations will be followed:

The grade of B (16-17 points) will be given to students who demonstrate

Punctuality

Mature, positive and professional attitude

Ability to perform assigned parts

Bring necessary materials to rehearsals on a daily basis

Grades lower than B will be reserved for students who need improvement in the areas listed above.

The Grade of A (18-20 points) will be reserved for those students who demonstrate the requirements listed for the B grade, plus:

a willingness to assist as needed or requested either by the director or other students (e.g. showing leadership in the section, running sectionals, showing interest in co-curricular musical activities, auditioning for solo opportunities)

Actual, individual demonstration of superior technical and musical ability through the performance of passages from compositions rehearsed during the grading period as requested by the director.

SECTIONALS

A Cappella and Women's Choir students are expected to complete a sectional outside of class time about every two weeks. Students may work with less than their complete sections to assist in scheduling. The sectionals should total one hour per two weeks (e.g., one 60 minute session, two 30 minute sessions, etc). A record of sectional participation should be turned in to Mr. Barsch on the assigned days.

PATRON OF THE ARTS PROJECTS:

Students in choir will attend TWO artistic performances per term (except A Cappella, see Biography projects). Teachers will periodically announce affordable options in class, but students are expected to seek their own opportunities. High school, college or professional events such as band, orchestral, choir or other concerts, theater programs and visual art exhibitions are all eligible (except Chorale & Treble Choir, see induvidual class syllabus). You`ll find links to opportunities in the Navigator box above. A one page, typed, double-spaced paper describing and evaluating the event must be turned in (by email as an attachment, please) by one week before the end of the term.

Due dates are: October 23, 2009; January 8, 2010; March 12, 2010; May 21, 2010.

Please email all projects to oehs.pota@gmail.com

BIOGRAPHY PROJECTS:

Instead of a second Patron project, A Cappella students will write a three page (plus a works cited page) biographical essay on a living (or recently living) choral composer or conductor. These essays will be due on the same days as the Patron projects listed above. Suggestions for subjects are: Eric Whitacre, Libby Larsen, Joseph Flummerfelt, Rodney Eichenberger, John Rutter, Darmon Meader, John Adams, Robert Shaw, Alice Parker, Moses Hogan, Andre Thomas, Rollo Dilworth, etc. Use MLA format including in-text citations.

Due dates are: October 23, 2009; January 8, 2010; March 12, 2010; May 21, 2010.

Please email all projects to oehs.pota@gmail.com

CONCERTS:

Concert participation is MANDATORY. The choir depends on the participation of each student. If a student`s behavior has been significantly disruptive, Mr. Barsch reserves the right to hold a student out of the concert for the good of the group. This will not happen due to musical ability, only as a result of sustained inappropriate behavior. In such a case, the student will need to follow the Excused Absence policy below to make up the grade.

Some choirs will perform in robes, but each student will wear black and white clothes underneath as follows:

· Men: Black pants, shoes and socks. White collared button-down or polo shirt with no print or large logo.

· Women: Black pants or skirt (below the knee) with dark hose or socks. White non-sheer blouse with no print. CLOSED-TOED black shoes. No flip-flops.

ANY ABSENCE will result in the concert grade of 0. If the absence is excused (which must be verified with a note from parent/guardian), you may make up the 0 by following the following procedures.

If you do not perform at a concert, you will need to sing selections from the concert music for the director once you are well enough to sing. This must happen before the end of the term. Full credit on the singing portion can equal half credit for the concert.
If you can be at the concert but have lost your voice and cannot sing, you can complete the concert review sheet for each choir. Make sure you check in with your choir attendance-taker, and let your director know before the concert that this is what you are doing. Full credit on the sheet can equal half credit for concert participation.
If you are not able to be at the concert, you must write a three-page paper about one of the composers being performed. Provide a biography of this composer, and any background about the song, lyricist or arranger. You should also provide a description of the piece: What makes it challenging? Be specific. Make sure you provide citations within the body of the paper, and provide a Works Cited page at the end. Full credit on this paper can equal half credit for concert participation.

Excused absences from a concert or mandatory rehearsal include:

Student illness
Death in the family
Family emergencies
Religious holidays (director must be notified in advance, in writing)
Curricular excursions (director must be notified in advance, in writing)

Unexcused absences can include, but are not limited to:

Study or private lessons
Family vacations or trips
College visitations
Work

Students assume the responsibility for making up all missed work. In the event of any excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the director and discuss material missed or obtain additional help.