Beginning Choral Ensemble II

Curriculum guideline

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Course
MUSC 1241
Discontinued
No
Course code
MUSC 1241
Descriptive
Beginning Choral Ensemble II
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 hours per week
Method(s) of instruction
Tutorial
Learning activities

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

Course description
Through the performance of appropriate music, the student will continue to learn the basic skills of ensemble singing, including more complex part singing, intonation and balance.
Course content
  1. Vocal production
    Emphasis will be placed on developing range and dynamics of singing voice.
  2. Unison and part singing
    • Blend and balance
    • Development of more precise intonation
    • Diction
    • Expansion on range and interpretation
    • Further development of ability to sing more complex choral parts
  3. Repertoire
    Repertoire may include two and three-part contrapuntal music.
Learning outcomes

The successful student should be able to demonstrate basic skills in:

  1. Ensemble singing
  2. More complex part singing
  3. Intonation and balance
  4. Rehearsal techniques
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

MUSC 1141 or permission of instructor