Choir I
	Course Preface Printable Version (pdf)

 

Course Description

 

Core Standards of the Course

Standard 1
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.
   

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, sing half and whole steps, master different vocal exercise patterns, sing various scales accurately.
   
3. Successfully hold melodic and harmonic parts.
   
4. Perform a range of dynamic contrasts and tempo changes.
   
5. Match vowel colors within an ensemble.
   

Objective 3
Demonstrate notational literacy.

1. Identify and define standard notation terms and symbols for pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, articulation, and expression.
   
2. Demonstrate use of music symbols through copying short passages (and/or writing dictated rhythms and pitches) and singing from them.
   
3. Develop and demonstrate reading fluency through singing and reading games and/or exercises.
   
4. Sight-read a new piece with the correct rhythms and pitches.
   

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 of the voice.
   
3. Explain and/or teach the principles of any of the performance objectives to classmates as needed.
   
4. Develop 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 feelings through choral performance.
   
2. Perform successfully in public music representing a variety of times, cultures, and styles.
   
3. Exhibit acceptable performer and audience etiquette.
   

Standard 2
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 simple rhythms.
   
3. 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.
   

Objective 2
Record musical thoughts in standard notation.

1. Notate improvised and/or dictated rhythms and pitches separately.
   
2. Combine notated rhythms and pitches to make a melody and notate it on the staff.
   
3. Develop notation skills; e.g., copy music, play rhythm and staff games.
   
4. As a group or individually, complete a composition process: improvise short melodic phrases, variations of a given phrase, and/or a consequent phrase for an antecedent phrase; invent a notation system that describes the improvised music or reminds what comes next; notate the rhythms and pitches on a staff.
   

Standard 3
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, and by 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 live and recorded 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. Explain how the quality of personal performance affects the performance of the whole group.
   

Standard 4
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, Cathy Jensen or visit the Fine Arts - Music Home Page. For general questions about Utah's Core Curriculum, contact the USOE Curriculum Director, Sydnee Dickson . UEN Contact Info: 801-581-2999 | 800-866-5852 | Contact Us