Tutorial: 2 hours per week
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.
- 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.
- 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
- Repertoire
- Repertoire may include the following:
- Unison, two-, and three-part music
- Canons
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.
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.
Students may be required to purchase one or more of the scores used during the semester.
None