8th Grade Syllabus


Performing Arts Department: Chorus (8th Grade)                      

Director: Mr. George Dedesma

 

1. CONTACTING THE TEACHER: 

The following are the best ways to contact me during the school day: 

·         Email. (gdedesma@greenville.k12.sc.us) 

·         Leave a voicemail at

Parents and students: I communicate information via  parent /student emails through BACKPACK, Google Classroom message boards, and  my website under the EVENTS page for Chorus. Please sign-up for BACKPACK if you have not done so already.


2. THE USE OF ELECTRONIC RECORDING DEVICES:

At no point is a student permitted to record, film, live stream, etc. the teacher or classroom instruction without the consent of the teacher.


3. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

In this third year of middle school Chorus, students will develop, incorporate, and master advanced principles of choral singing in all of the following categories: Creating Music; Music Theory; Vocal Production & Technique; Vowels & Articulation; Phrasing & Musical Interpretation; Music History; Sight-Reading & Sight-Singing; Choreography; Solo & Group Performance; and Making Real World Connections in Music. Students will perform a variety of musical styles from a variety of musical time periods during two live concerts and one competition. Concerts are mandatory. This is a year-long class. Uniforms are also mandatory.


4. 2017 SOUTH CAROLINA STANDARDS FOR CHORAL MUSIC EDUCATION:

This course will follow the 2017 South Carolina College- and Career-Ready standards for Choral Music Education which include:

·         Artistic Processes: Creating

o   Anchor Standard 1: Arranging & Composing Music (Music Theory)

o   Anchor Standard 2: Improvisation

·         Artistic Processes: Performing

o   Anchor Standard 3: Tone Quality (Vocal technique and Intonation)

o   Anchor Standard 4: Technical Accuracy & Expression in Performance (Phrasing, Dynamics, and Rhythm)

o   Anchor Standard 5: Performance & Musical Notation (Sight-reading & sight-singing; Solfege; Scales and Key Signatures)

·         Artistic Processes: Responding

o   Anchor Standard 6: Music Analysis (Cultural, emotional, and historical contexts of repertoire; Criteria for analysis of music)

o   Anchor Standard 7: Musical Evaluation (Positive critique of musical selections and vocal performances)

·         Artistic Processes: Connecting

o   Anchor Standard 8: Musical Examination (Variety of stylistic and historical periods and cultures)

o   Anchor Standard 9: Relating Music to Other Disciplines (Other arts, content areas, and career paths)


5. TEXT BOOKS:

The following textbooks and repertoire selections will be used in class:


 6. MATERIALS:

Students will need the following materials:


 7. CONCERT/PERFORMANCE ATTIRE:


8. GRADING POLICY:

The following is a list of assignments students will be evaluated on throughout the year:

     ASSIGNMENTS                                                 GRADING RUBRIC

Rehearsal Grade (Minor Grade)                               A (90-100%)

Lecture Grade (Minor Grade)                                     B (80-89%)

Class Work/Participation (Minor Grade)            C (70-79%)   

Repertoire/Theory Tests (Major Grade)              D (60-69%)

Audio/Video Performances (Major Grade)         F (0-59%)  

·         REHEARSAL GRADES: Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, discipline, & techniques learned in vocal instruction during rehearsal time.

·         LECTURE GRADE: Students will receive a grade for active participation (sharing ideas, asking questions, active listening, and note-taking) during class lectures.

·         PERFORMANCE GRADES:  In accordance with state standards in voice, students will demonstrate vocal mastery of the repertoire rehearsed during a performance. Students will be graded in the following categories: Vocal Technique; Pitch Accuracy; Rhythmic Accuracy; Dynamics and Phrasing; Following the Conductor; and Professionalism. 

·         ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS: In order to receive full credit for all vocal assignments and performances, students must meet all of the following:

1.   Sing with appropriate vocal technique, vowel placement, diction, and articulation. 

2.   Sing using accurate dynamics, phrasing, and stylistic markings.

3.   Sing accurate pitches with accurate rhythms. 

4.   Sing with full breath support and proper posture.

5.   Demonstrate accurate sight reading and sight singing skills.

6.    Independently read a vocal score.

7.    Demonstrate understanding of both the historical and cultural context of a piece.

8.   Sing consistently throughout warm-ups, vocal technique exercises, and rehearsal.


9. CONCERT/PERFORMANCES GRADES:

Students will perform in two mandatory concerts this year (Holiday and Spring). Students will be graded in the following categories (Major Grades): Vocal Technique; Pitch Accuracy; Rhythmic Accuracy; Dynamics and Phrasing; Following the Conductor; and Professionalism. 


10. CONCERT/PERFORMANCE ABSENCES:

A make up project consisting of a research paper or live performance in class of all the repertoire performed at the concert will be required to make up missing grades. Make up projects will only be given to students with an excused absence.

Excused absences include: Illness or an immediate death in the family.

Unexcused absences include, but not limited to: Students forgetting there is a show.; Students not wanting to perform (this is a performance-based class), Student not having transportation to and from the concert (this is the parent's responsibility).


11.  CLASSROOM RULES:

1. Act like young adults: That is what you are and that is how you will be treated.

2. Act like professionals: Your teacher is in the business of training student professionals!

3. Take responsibility for the quality of your vocal work.

4. Take responsibility for your grades: If you don’t like what you earned, work harder and seek additional help as needed to do better (This why I am here!).

5. Respect your fellow performers and your director.


12.  DISCIPLINE POLICY:

The discipline policy will be implemented as needed if students do not comply with classroom rules and procedures: 

·      Warning

·      Parent Contact

·      First Detention

·      Second Detention 

·      Referral to the Assistant Principal