Course

Beginning Choral Ensemble III

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Course Code
MUSC 2345
Credits
1.50
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
40 all levels combined
Method(s) Of Instruction
Tutorial
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
Through the performance of appropriate music, students in this course will develop the basic skills of ensemble singing, including vocal technique, part singing, intonation, and balance.
Course Content
  1. Vocal production
    • Training in the production of the singing voice, including posture, breathing, phonation, and singing of vocalises within a comfortable range for beginning students.
    • Vocal diction: vowels and consonants.
  2. Unison and part singing
    • Blend and balance
    • Intonation
    • Diction
    • Interpretation
    • Development of ability to sing one’s own choral part
    • Responding to conducting gestures and directions
  3. Repertoire
    • Repertoire may include the following:
      • Unison, two-, and three-part music
      • Canons

 

Learning Activities

The instructor will introduce vocal and ensemble concepts, demonstrate techniques, and lead the ensemble.  Practice exercises and pieces will be rehearsed and/or performed by the whole class, small groups, and individuals.

Means of Assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives, and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.

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 groups (one singer per part) are heard by the instructor in private. Students are graded on their achievement on these assignments.  The following is an example of a possible grading breakdown:

20%     Assigned passage #1

20%     Assigned passage #2

20%     Assigned passage #3

20%     Contribution to Ensemble (musical/vocal)

20%     Attitude / Effort (ongoing assessment)

100%

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.  A drop of 30% due to absence or lateness will result in a UN grade and expulsion from the choir.

Students who are absent without a 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 a 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 must be provided.

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

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate effective vocal production, posture, breathing, phonation, vowels, and consonants.

2. Apply aspects of ensemble blend and balance, intonation, and diction, and sing one’s own part in a choral setting.

3. Interpret and respond to verbal and visual cues from the conductor.

Textbook Materials

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

Requisites

Prerequisites

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for MUSC 2345
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Fall 2024

CRN
37781
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
CRN
37781
Tue
Instructor Last Name
TBA
Instructor First Name
(Faculty)
Course Status
Open
Maximum Seats
40
Currently Enrolled
0
Remaining Seats:
40
On Waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N3285
Times:
Start Time
16:30
-
End Time
18:20