Choir III
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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.
   
6. Resonance. Move smoothly from low to high range with an open, free, and balanced posture of the vocal mechanism.
   

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.
   
3. Hold melodic and harmonic parts successfully in four-part a cappella and accompanied choral literature.
   
4. Perform a range of dynamic contrasts and tempo changes with increasing precision and control.
   
5. Match vowel colors and tone qualities within an ensemble.
   
6. Follow the conductor’s indications for spontaneous changes and adjustments.
   
7. Demonstrate musical understanding in phrasing.
   

Objective 3
Demonstrate notational literacy.

1. Correctly write and respond to standard notation symbols in choral music.
   
2. Sight-sing melodies fluently in unison and parts on progressive levels of music in any key and time signature.
   

Objective 4
Demonstrate productive rehearsal habits.

1. Exhibit productive rehearsal skills; e.g., preparation, conscientious attendance, mutual respect, alertness, participation, and cooperation.
   
2. Demonstrate knowledge, care, and use of the voice.
   
3. Explain and/or teach the principles of any of the performance objectives to classmates as needed.
   
4. Utilize 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 to an audience.
   
2. Perform successfully in public and/or for adjudication a cappella and accompanied music from a variety of times, cultures, and styles.
   
3. Prepare and perform a solo and/or small ensemble piece with or without accompaniment.
   
4. Exhibit impeccable performer and audience etiquette.

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

Objective 1
Improvise rhythmic and melodic ideas and phrases.

1. Improvise a variety of vocal sounds.
   
2. Improvise melodic, rhythmic, and chordal call/response, question/answer activities; e.g., imitate rhythmic and thematic or melodic ideas in groups such as in 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 rhythm patterns, melodic patterns, rhythmic variations, and/or melodic embellishments on familiar melodies.
   

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. Summarize, using the vocabulary of music, how performance repertoire is constructed and the musical events/changes as they occur.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Make value judgments of the quality of the composition based on effectiveness of musical events, construction, and expressive effects.
   

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