Choir Course Levels

• Choir I is for students in their first year of Chorus. There are two sections--for those with no experience: Beginning Choir or those who have previous experience in choirs: Freshmen Select.
• Choir II is for second year students. Students may enroll in the Red Fox Choir (Intermediate Choir) or HHS Singers (Advanced Choir) with permission.
• Choir III is for third year students. Students may enroll in the Red Fox Choir (Intermediate Choir) or HHS Singers (Advanced Choir) with permission.
• Choir IV is for fourth year students. Students may enroll in the Red Fox Choir (Intermediate Choir) or HHS Singers (Advanced Choir) with permission.

Classes

• Beginning Choir (Chorus I section 1) is open to all students who have an interest in singing. This class will allow a student to receive a Fine Arts credit (to be used towards graduation) and for some students it will be a prerequisite for another choir.
• Freshmen Select (Chorus I section 2) is open by permission or audition. It is designed for 9th grade students who have been a part of the HMS Magnet Chorus program, are Pre-IB Music students, or who have a similar background in music. In this class students will learn to sight read vocal music (both pitch and rhythm), will learn sing well (diction, blend, balance, vocal technique, breathing, etc.), and will learn the discipline necessary to become a part of one of the upper choirs. This class is a prerequisite for either Red Fox or HHS Singers.
• Red Fox Choir (Intermediate Choir) is open by permission or audition. It is for students who have completed one year in chorus and who read music well and understand vocal technique. This chorus will sing in several competitions and participate in a combined choir with an orchestra in the spring. Students will be encouraged to audition for All-State choir. Participants may Letter in Choir if they sing in one of the upper choirs for two years, sing in a combined choir concert and audition for All-State.
• HHS Singers (Advanced, Honors Choir) is open only by permission and audition. This class is for the elite vocal students at Hartsville High School and some members receive honors credit. Students who are selected for this choir read music well, have good vocal skills and are dedicated, hard-working musicians. This chorus will sing in a number of competitions, participate in a combined choir with orchestra in the spring, and every member will audition for All-State. (In 2017-2018 we had 11 All-State Singers) Every student will study voice privately (either with a private teacher of with the instructor). Participants in HHS Singers will earn a Choir Letter after two years.
• Music Appreciation. For any student interested in an Arts Elective. Students will explore music from European Historical Periods, various World Music cultures as well as Popular Music. Students are required to take notes (there is no textbook), attend two live music concerts, and present an Oral Report on music of their choice.
• IB Music. This class is for SL or HL IB Music students only (Band, Choir or Strings). Students who study an instrument or voice privately, and are approved by the instructor may also take this class. Students will study Prescribed Works, Musical Genres and Styles, create a Musical Investigation, perform solos (or group performance), and create Musical Compositions.