• 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 Handbook

     

     

    POLICIES

    Students are governed by the BCS Student Handbook, and additional rules listed in the G.W. Carver Choir Handbook.

    GRADING SCALE

    Projects=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