Choir II
	Course Preface Printable Version (pdf)

 

Course Description

 

Core Standards of the Course

Standard 1
(Perform): Students will use body, voice, and instruments as means of musical expression.

Objective 1
Produce a beautiful tone.

1. Tone. Produce a balanced and free vocal tone with the body and breath working together.
   
2. Posture. Exhibit the right relationship between the head, neck, and torso in a singing posture free from tension.
   
3. Breathing. Breathe quietly through an open throat, preparing the throat for singing with each inhalation.
   
4. Vowels. Keep the proper vowel shape for the duration of the syllable, showing care in the upper ranges to give more space to closed vowels.
   
5. Consonants. Show how clear, crisp, quick, and well-articulated consonants help focus and project the voice.
   

Objective 2
Demonstrate technical performance skills.

1. Perform rhythms accurately; e.g., attacks, releases, accents.
   
2. Practice and perform with habits that enable accurate intonation; e.g., listen and match the pitch, master different vocal exercise patterns, sing various scales accurately.
   
3. Hold melodic and harmonic parts successfully in three-part a cappella and accompanied choral music.
   
4. Perform a range of dynamic contrasts and tempo changes with increasing control.
   
5. Match vowel colors and tone qualities within an ensemble.
   
6. Sing in musical phrases.
   

Objective 3
Demonstrate notational literacy.

1. Explain correctly standard notation symbols in choral music.
   
2. Demonstrate correct use of music symbols through writing dictated rhythms and pitches and singing from them.
   
3. Sight-sing readily the pitches and rhythms of melodic patterns written in a variety of keys and time signatures.
   
4. Develop reading fluency of unfamiliar songs.
   

Objective 4
Demonstrate productive rehearsal habits.

1. Exhibit productive rehearsal skills; e.g., stay focused, be prepared, participate fully, respect others, maintain conscientious attendance habits.
   
2. Demonstrate good care and use of the voice.
   
3. Explain and/or teach the principles of any of the performance objectives to classmates as needed.
   
4. Improve personal use of technical vocal terminology.
   
5. Assist in the care of supplies, facilities, and equipment.
   

Objective 5
Perform varied repertoire.

1. Demonstrate ability to communicate meaning through music.
2. Perform successfully in public and/or for adjudication a cappella and accompanied music from a variety of times, cultures, and styles.
   
3. Exhibit commendable performer and audience etiquette.

Standard 2
(Create): Students will improvise and compose music.

Objective 1
Improvise rhythmic and melodic ideas and phrases.

1. Explore possibilities of sounds that can be produced with the voice.
   
2. Improvise melodic, rhythmic, and chordal call/response, question/answer activities; e.g., imitate rhythmic and thematic or melodic ideas in groups such as drum circles or by passing the musical idea from one person to the next; sing/play back short, simple scale fragments or rhythms.
   
3. Improvise simple melodies using limited pitches and/or creating variations of a familiar tune.
   

Objective 2
Record musical thoughts in standard notation.

1. Notate class and personal improvisations in a sketch book.
   
2. As a group or individually, complete a composition process: create a tune according to given criteria, notate the rhythms and pitches on a staff.

Standard 3
(Listen/Analyze/Evaluate): Students will expand music listening skills and use music vocabulary to analyze and evaluate music.

Objective 1
Analyze and evaluate musical examples.

1. Describe music events/changes as they occur in performance repertoire or in recorded examples; e.g., tempo dynamics, instrumentation.
2. Explain how performance repertoire is constructed; e.g., identify the meter (time signature) and any changes, identify the key (find and play the key/home note), identify the form (AB, ABA, rondo, theme and variations, etc.).
   
3. Analyze performance repertoire or music the class listens to by comparing and contrasting styles from a variety of cultures and time periods, describing the emotions and thoughts the music communicates and how it does so.
   

Objective 2
Evaluate ensemble performances.

1. List important criteria for determining the quality of a music performance.
   
2. Using this list, identify, analyze, and evaluate strengths and weaknesses in both recorded and live performances.
   
3. Prescribe adjustments needed to strengthen individual and ensemble performance.
   
4. Compare/contrast live music performances with recordings.
   

Objective 3
Document personal growth as a musician.

1. Using the criteria from Objective B, evaluate strengths and weaknesses in personal performance.
   
2. Organize and maintain records of completed work; e.g., recordings, journal writings, sketch book, self/peer/teacher/adjudicator assessments.
   
3. Select a piece of own completed work that most clearly illustrates personal progress and explain this choice to teacher and/or parents.
   
4. Analyze how the quality of own work has affected the progress and performance of the whole group.

Standard 4
(Discover Meaning): Students will find avenues of understanding and communication through connecting music to personal growth, the joy of living, traditions, culture,and history.

Objective 1
Examine how music relates to personal development and enjoyment of life.

1. Evaluate how the study of music expands the ability to communicate with and understand others.
2. Tell how music can be a joyful part of daily activities.
   
3. Describe how making music together helps develop skills and success in working with others.
   
4. Describe how self and/or class have used music to be of service to someone.
   
5. Explain how participation in music can become a lifetime pursuit and/or develop analytical and creative thinking skills.
   

Objective 2
Experience how music connects us to history, culture, heritage, and community.

1. Demonstrate how people celebrate, mourn, create, communicate ideas, help others, express feelings, come together, and/or enjoy themselves through music.
   
2. Perform and enjoy music related to various cultures, times, and places.
   
3. Explain what the music experienced above means personally.

 

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Office of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Office of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.

 

For more information about this core curriculum, contact the USOE Specialist, CAROL ANN GOODSON or visit the Fine Arts - Music Home Page. For general questions about Utah's Core Curriculum, contact the USOE Curriculum Director, LYNNE GREENWOOD . UEN Contact Info: 801-581-2999 | 800-866-5852 | Contact Us