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George Washington Carver High School
2021-2022 General Music/Choir Class Syllabus
Teacher: Mr. Stringer
Email: bstringer@bhm.k12.al.us
Phone: 205.231.3900
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This class is designed to address the need of the young musician who is eager to explore vocal music instruction. Music is present in almost every aspect of our lives. But what is music when we get right down to it? What does music mean to us? What makes music good or bad? How does someone even start writing music? This class aims to address these issues.
This class will emphasize the fundamentals of singing; chest and head voice, sight singing, musical styles, music composers, compositions, and music of other cultures.
This class will also aid the student in developing emotional and academic independence and will support young musicians as they become responsible individuals.
COURSE OBJECTIVE and GOALS
Upon completion of this school year, students will:
1. Understand the basic physiological workings of human vocal production.2. Be able to identify factors that constitute correct vocal production, and identify those factors which hinder correct vocal production.
3. Begin to work towards the elimination of factors which hinder correct
vocal production in themselves.
4. Understand the rudiments of music notation, including:
a. pitch and note names
b. clefs and clef signatures
c. keys and key signatures
d. meters, meter signatures and rhythmic values
5. Be able to sing specified assignments of music, demonstrating knowledge
of proper vocal production, within a mixed vocal quartet, ensemble or as a choir.TEACHING METHODS
Students will be taught using audio visual media, lecture, group and class instruction.
GRADING POLICY
The very nature of ensemble music demands a cooperative effort on the
part of all ensemble participants. Vocal ensembles are laboratory courses
in aesthetics -- all members of the ensemble are part of the lab team. The
success or failure of one of us affects all the others in the course.
A good ensemble grading policy, therefore, should ensure the success of
the whole class while allowing for the fact that individuals must be
ultimately responsible for their own achievement. The individual singer
must be encouraged to improve (and thus, improve the whole) through the
evaluation of the end objective...singing the course material
Factors that will constitute the final grade for the course:
I. Choir Partners - Sectional Responsibility
All members of the class will be placed in a partnership with one or two
others who sing the same voice part. These persons will be your choir
partners. You are responsible to and responsible for your partner(s).
Music Examination grades will be assessed collectively -- the entire
partnership will receive the same grade. Therefore it is to your partner's
disadvantage if you cannot do the assignment and it is to your disadvantage if
your partner cannot. This way as we learn we can aid our partner along the way.
II. Music Examinations
A. All students will be examined at regular intervals to determine
their ability to successfully perform the music. The criteria for
evaluation will be melodic and rhythmic accuracy, as well as vocal
production and ensemble awareness. In other words, can you sing your part
with what would be considered good vocal tone (for you) while in a group of
singers from other vocal sections? These evaluations will be done during
the regular class periods.
B. The outside class rehearsals and performances that are scheduled are extremely important to the success of and performing ensemble. A missed rehearsal (without permission from the director) outside of class will be minus 5% for each missed rehearsal. A missed performance (without permission from the director) will be counted as a zero.
ATTENDANCE
According to Birmingham City Schools Handbook, students are allowed:1. 7 absences which will constitute a NC (no credit) for the class
Absences, for whatever reasons, are absences. The only excused
absences are those that involve official school activities (activities in
which you represent the school). Exceptions may be made for
illness or family emergencies. BUT it is the responsibility of the
student to make-up any missed assignments.
2. 3 tardies will equal one (1) absence. Tardies will be handled as outlined in the BCS Student HandbookPOLICIES
Students are governed by the BCS Student Handbook, and additional rules listed in the G.W. Carver Choir Handbook.
GRADING SCALEProjects=45%, quizzes=15%, Homework=5%, Classroom participation=15%, Final=20%
A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = 50-59