Paramus High School Paramus, New Jersey CURRICULUM OUTLINE

Department: Music Course: Concert Choir MU413 Level: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

This segment of the music curriculum fulfills the following NJCCC Standards for Visual and Performing Arts: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6

I. Course Description: Concert Choir provides to students having an interest in singing the opportunity to learn and perform choral music. It provides students with a fundamental musical background as related to the choral experience. The Select Choir is chosen from the Concert Choir, and is comprised of those students that are the most advanced, both vocally and musically. These students are expected to progress at an accelerated pace and to perform more difficult music. Students in Select Choir receive advanced credit. One evening each week is required for both the Concert Choir and Select Choir in addition to the regular daily schedule. 11. Course Objectives:

A. Techniques 1. To develop good habits of diction, intonation, tone production, breath support and breath control. 2. To develop techniques of phrasing, dynamics, unison attacks and releases, and precise articulation. 3. To develop a sense of ensemble singing individual parts with balance and blend by emphasizing the need to listen to all the voice parts in the texture of the music and to carefully follow the indications of the conductor. B. Notation 1. To develop the ability to read and reproduce note values of varying lengths in a variety of combinations 2. To develop skills in reading intervals through sight- reading.

3. To develop the ability to determine the tonal center of a composition through the recognition of key signatures. 4. To become familiar with the language of music through standard musical terms. C. Elements of Music

1. To develop skills in reading music with the following time signatures: 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 6/8, 2/2. 2. To develop skills in reading music with different time signatures and with complex and/or changing time signatures. 3. To develop the ability to sing an ostinato part and in four-part harmony consisting of soprano, alto, tenor and bass parts. 4. To be able to sing major and minor scale patterns. D.Appreciation 1.To provide an atmosphere for listening E.Performance 1. To build a broad choral repertoire appropriate to expanding musical understanding and taste. 2. To develop the ability to express the mood and spirit of each composition sung. 3. To provide the opportunity for solo and small ensemble experiences.

III. Major Concepts and Topics: This segment of the music curriculum fulfills the following NJCCC Standards for Visual and Performing Arts: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6

A. Techniques 1. Daily warm-up exercises will emphasize breath support, breath control and diction.

a. The use of uniform vowel sounds will be emphasized to improve choral tone and intonation. b. A variety of vocal exercises will be employed to develop vocal strength, agility and range 2. Sections of the repertoire chosen will be isolated and carefully studied with regard to phrasing, articulation and tone production. 3. Exercises and rehearsal techniques will be used to develop an awareness of all voice parts as they relate to the entire choral texture. B. Notation 1. Rhythmic notation, a variety of meter signatures, and pitch notation and letter names on both treble and bass clefs will be studied. 2. Graded sight-reading material will increase the student’s music reading ability.

3. Musical terms will be defined separately and as they appear in the music under preparation. Musical terms to be studied include: a tempo lento accelerando maestros adagio marcato allegretto meno allegro mezzo forte andante mezzo piano andante moderato assai molto cantabile non troppo coda piano crescendo pianissimo chromatic piu da capo poco a poco dal segno presto decrescendo rallentando diminuendo ritardando divisi sempre dolce sostenuto fermata staccato forte subito fortissimo tenuto largo tutti legato vivace C. Elements of Music

1. Each composition will be studied distinguishing such musical elements as pitch, melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, structure and dynamics, relating each to the expressive whole.

D. Appreciation 1. Background information will be given concerning composer, historical period, and style of compositions studied. 2. Exemplary recordings of the repertoire studied will be played when available. E. Performance 1. Individual characteristics and those shared with other compositions studied. 2. Music will be chose covering a broad range of styles and musical periods, including Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary and Popular music, as well as the Contributions by women and minorities.

3. Solos and ensembles will be chosen throughout the year through the process of audition.

F. Departmental Procedures 1. Performances and extra rehearsals in the evening to assist in the attainment of performance standards are required. Such rehearsals and performances are understood to be part of the total choral curriculum and are a commitment that the student makes when he/she elects membership in this course. IV. Student Skill Objectives: A. To demonstrate knowledge of breath control, breath support and proper vowel formation. B. To develop a sense of phrasing, accurate choral articulation and ensemble balance, blend and choral tone. C. To demonstrate knowledge of music and fundamentals and an ability to apply that knowledge to the reading of music. D. To demonstrate knowledge of musical terms found in scores. E. To demonstrate an awareness of themusic of varied styles and historical periods, as well as the contributions by women and minorities. V. Evaluation Procedures: A. Students will be required to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the compositions studied through their daily performance in class, in outside rehearsals and in public performance of those compositions. B. Written tests on the fundamentals of musical notation and terminology will be given periodically throughout the semester and an examination will be given at the end of each semester. VI. Suggested Materials:

A. Representative materials will be chosen from a broad range of styles and musical periods including Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary and Popular choral literature, as well as the contributions by women and minorities.

VOCAL MUSIC REHEARSAL SCHEDULE COMBINED CHOIR: (Regular and Honors students combined)4th Monday of the month.

PREMIERS: (Honors students) Every Monday from 2:30 to 4:30. This is in addition to the above Combined Choir rehearsal.

Sectionals: (Regular and Honors students)

1st Monday: Men - 4:30 to 5:30

2nd Monday: Sopranos - 4:30 to 5:30

3rd Monday: Altos - 4:30 to 5:30