Beginning Choral Ensemble I

Curriculum guideline

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Course
MUSC 1141
Discontinued
No
Course code
MUSC 1141
Descriptive
Beginning Choral Ensemble I
Department
Music
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
1.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
N/A
Contact hours
2 hrs per week
Method(s) of instruction
Tutorial
Learning activities

Students will rehearse study materials in one weekly two-hour session.

Course description
Through the performance of appropriate music, the student will learn the basic skills of ensemble singing, including vocal production, unison and part singing.
Course content

  1. Vocal production
    • Basic training in production of singing voice, including posture, breathing and singing of vocalises within a comfortable range for beginning students.
    • Vowels and consonants.
  2. Unison and part singing
    • Blend and balance
    • Intonation
    • Diction
    • Interpretation
    • Development of ability to sing one’s own choral part
    • Development of awareness of conductor-chorister relationship
  3. Repertoire
    • Repertoire may include the following:
    • Unison, two- and three-part (SSA/SAT/SAB) music; canons

Learning outcomes

  1. Ensemble singing
  2. Vocal production
  3. Unison and part singing

Means of assessment

Grades are based on the students’ regular preparation for rehearsals, attentiveness and effort during rehearsals, and musical contribution to the ensemble. Frequently during the semester, certain passages of music are assigned to be learned for an upcoming rehearsal, during which solo quartets (one singer per part) are heard by the instructor in private. Students are graded on their achievements on these assignments.

Assigned passages (minimum 3 tests) 60%
Contribution to Ensemble (musical/vocal) 20%
Attitude/Effort (ongoing assessment) 20%

Attendance:

Every 15 minutes of unexcused absence or lateness will lower the final grade by 1%. Absence and lateness will be cumulative – whenever a student’s combined absence or lateness adds up to 15 minutes, 1% will be deducted from the final grade (an unexcused absence from a 2.5 hour rehearsal will lower the final grade 10%). A drop of 30% due to absence or lateness will result in a failing grade (i.e., three unexcused absences) and expulsion from the choir.

Students who are absent without valid excuse from a Dress Rehearsal will not be permitted to perform in the concert, and will fail the course.

Concerts:

Unexcused absence from a concert will result in a failing grade. Every 2 minutes of unexcused lateness to the warm-up and rehearsal immediately prior to a concert (the concert call) will lower the final grade by 1%. Any student who is more than 40 minutes late to a concert warm-up without valid excuse will not be permitted to perform in the concert, and will fail the course.

Absences will be excused for reasons of illness or emergency; written documentation may be required by instructor.

Attendance at all rehearsals and concerts is assumed; perfect attendance does not increase the final grade.

Textbook materials

Students may be required to purchase one or more of the scores used during the semester.

Prerequisites

Basic Musicianship entrance or permission of instructor. 

Which prerequisite

MUSC 1241