SYLLABUS

Instructor: Anthony West (he/him)

Email: westa@mdusd.org

Classrooms: Choir Room (003) & Piano Lab (901) 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

(inspired by the 1994 National Standards for Music Education)

1. Sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

2. Improvise melodies, harmonies, variations, and accompaniments.

3. Read and notate music.

4. Listen to, analyze, and describe music.

5. Evaluate music and music performances.

6. Understand music in relation to history and culture.

7. Understand relationships between music, the arts, and disciplines outside the arts.

DAILY MATERIALS

• Pencil w/ eraser

• Chromebook, charged

• Choir folder

• Water bottle (recommended)

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

Respect

1. • Show kindness to the rehearsal space, each other, and ourselves; racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, and otherwise discriminatory remarks have no place in our community.

   • Mr. West does not consent to photography or recording of any kind unless permission is explicitly given.

   • When you wish to speak, raise your hand and wait to be called on.

   • Gum can be chewed before or after rehearsal, not during.

Time

1. • Come to class on time, all the time; missed class = missed practice

   • Please avoid scheduling appointments during rehearsal. This is the only class where your absence affects others.

   • Restroom: hall passes will not be given during the first/last 10 minutes of class. Unless otherwise communicated, students will have 7 minutes to use the restroom each time they leave class. If a student consistently abuses this privilege, they will be placed on the No Fly List and will no longer be allowed to use the restroom.

Effort

1. • Follow directions the first time they are given.

   • Bring all required materials to class and take them when you leave each day.

   • Only materials related to Choir may be used during class time. Food/drink and work from other classes should be left at the door.

   • If a student is feeling ill, they have permission to rest their voice during rehearsal. However, the student must also follow along in the music and write notes as well as complete the Sick Bay Writing Opportunity as evidence of participation. An illness isn’t an excuse.

Electronic Devices: per MDUSD policy, electronic devices may only be used during class time when given explicit permission by the teacher. Students violating this policy will have devices confiscated and may potentially face disciplinary measures. Cell phones should be put away or left at the charging station upon entering the Choir Room and must remain there for the entire rehearsal. The only students allowed to keep phones on-hand are section leaders and they are to be used for rehearsal purposes only.

STUDENT CONDUCT

In rehearsal

When feeling sick

• I will never give students permission to sit out without participating on some level

In performance

• • Arrive on time with the correct performance attire.

  • Remain focused during the warm-up.

  • Watch the conductor while performing.

  • Show gratitude towards the audience after each song.

In public

• • Follow all directions from Mr. West, the chaperones, the bus driver, and the host school or organization.

  • Be on your best behavior at all times; you are representing CHS to the outside world and the standard of behavior will be much higher than what is expected of you normally.

  • Clean up after yourself and others.

  • When walking from location to location, travel in groups of 3 or more.

On social media

• CHS Choirs support the use of social media to celebrate our success. However, choir members must not use social media to make critical, unfounded, or derogatory remarks about CHS ensembles or their members. Each singer has a duty to honor our organization and careful consideration should be given before posting to social media.

PERFORMANCES

• • Participation in all performances is mandatory.

  • Students must attend rehearsal on the day of a performance unless excused for another school activity (sport, field trip, etc.).

  • Scheduling conflicts must be communicated in writing at least 2 weeks before a performance.

  • In extreme cases (sudden illness, a death in the family, etc.) students may be excused from participating in a performance with written notice from a parent or guardian; excused students will be provided with an alternate assignment to be completed for performance credit.

Concerts

• • 100pts for delivering an artistic performance, remaining focused while off-stage, and wearing "concert black" attire.

  • Students with 12 or more absences in a semester may be asked to sit out during a the Fall/Spring Concert.  and given an alternate assessment. If a student is planning to be absent for an extended period of time (illness, travel, etc.) it is their responsibility to communicate this to Mr. West in writing so that accommodations can be made.

Gigs

• • 30pts for delivering an artistic performance, remaining focused while off-stage, and wearing the appropriate attire.

  • If a student needs to miss a performance, the credit can be made up by completing an additional point of Choir Community Service (CCS). This may only be done once per semester.

CHECK-INS

• Choir students will regularly be given Check-In assignments to demonstrate their mastery of vocal technique and the concert repertoire. Check-ins may either be assigned individually or in small groups, and will require students to complete a variety of tasks (i.e. record themselves singing, demonstrate correct solfège hand signs, provide a written response, etc.)

• Each submission will receive one of the following ratings:

  • Superior (4pts)—This rating represents the finest conceivable performance for the event and the level of participants being adjudicated, worthy of being recognized as among the very best. While the adjudicator might find some minor points to criticize and make some helpful suggestions for further improvement, their comments and/or check marks would show a preponderance of “Superiors.” Comments would be generally complimentary for outstanding work.

  • Excellent (3pts)—This rating reflects a fine performance in many respects but not one worthy of the highest rating due to minor defects. It is, however, a performance of distinct quality. This performance usually shows the results of sound, fundamental training, but the performance lacks the polish and artistry necessary to qualify for a “Superior.” There would probably be some “Superior” and perhaps a few “Good” comments and/or check marks, but more comments and/or check marks would be in the “Excellent” area rather than the “Good” or “Fair” areas .

  • Good (2pts)—This rating is awarded for a good performance, but one that is not excellent. The performance shows accomplishments and marked promise, but is lacking in one or more essential qualities. This rating indicates room for improvement in many of the fundamental items listed on the adjudicators’ comment sheets. Such forms might show one or two marks in the “Superior,” “Excellent” and/or “Fair” areas, but would show a majority “Goods” and “Fairs.” There would probably not be time or space to record each separate error as it occurred, but the group would have some basically fine qualities and there should be ample opportunity for the adjudicator to make suggestions for general improvement of fundamental weaknesses. 

  • Fair (1pt)—This rating describes a performance that shows some obvious weaknesses. These may reflect handicaps in the way of instruction, instrumentation, or lack of rehearsal time. This rating represents a performance that is generally weak and uncertain. There are numerous errors in most of the fundamental categories. The adjudicators’ sheets will show a great many areas in need of attention and the adjudicators will probably not devote much space to pointing out specific errors. Comments should be encouraging and contain helpful suggestions for improve ment. They might suggest such things as schedule and rehearsal improvements, or more careful suggestions for ensemble or individual studies and exercises that would contribute to the development of a soloist or group. (Perhaps a private note to the director with suggestions might be in order for this rating.) 

  • Missing (0pts)—The work was not submitted.

• If a student does not receive full credit on a check-in, they are encouraged to retry for a better score. Check-ins may be resubmitted any number of times until the end of the grading period.

• Unless otherwise stated, check-ins will be assigned at the beginning of a week and are due at the end of that week. Students will be given class time to prepare/submit check-in assignments so that homework can be avoided.

• At the end of each grading period (quarter/semester), the lowest check-in score will automatically be dropped for each student

WRITTEN WORK

CAPSTONE PROJECT

(Honors Course Requirement)

• Participation in an extracurricular vocal ensemble (i.e. A Cappella, student-led groups, etc.) performing a minimum of 2 pieces on the Fall and Spring Choir Concerts. These groups must audition for Mr. West before receiving their spot on the concert program.

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FINAL EXAM

(Honors Course Requirement)