Kristie Bement’s Weblog

Choir is a year long elective class held during the exploratory block. The purpose of the WMS choir program is to offer opportunities for our members to develop lifetime music skills, critical thinking skills and group cooperative skills through musical performance.

The Curriculum

Practice at Home: The single most important factor in students’ musical growth is their practice at home. As directors, we can provide the methods, information, and support that students need to grow musically, however, we cannot grow for them. Consistent and focused work on musical skills will guarantee success more than any other single factor in the students’ musical development.

Rehearsals: Rehearsals are held daily with an emphasis on developing high levels of musicianship through work in musical style, interpretation, techniques, and skills. Rehearsals lie at the heart of the curriculum and, therefore consistent attendance and participation is vital.

Class discussion: Class discussions are designed to foster thinking and reflection on the skills and concepts that we deal with in music. They will be held daily in conjunction with normal rehearsal. Each student is expected to take notes on key points (the director will indicate when notes should be taken), and will be held responsible (through testing) for all the material covered.

Playing and Written Tests: Individual in-class singing/rhythm/solfege tests will be held periodically in order to check on students’ musical growth and home practice habits. Written quizzes and tests will also be held at periodic intervals. Each quiz or test will include material covered in lectures, required listening, and rehearsal discussions.

Written and Listening Assignments: Short written assignments, both in-class and at home, may be required of the students to help them develop a knowledge and thoughtful approach to music. These assignments will occasionally include listening to select recording and/or live performances. Recording and information about live performances will be available from the directors. Students will be required to answer questions about the listening assignments, and relate them to our discussions and the works we are performing in class. Students should contact the directors if transportation or costs are an issue when asked to attend outside live performances.

Concerts: In a performance art like music, concerts are like midterms and final exams. They are a culmination of all the day- to -day work that takes place in home practice and rehearsals. Concert attendance and performance are, therefore, exceptionally important to the students musical growth and grade. Attendance at concerts is mandatory.

Solos: Students are encouraged to prepare and perform solos to better their individual performance on their voice. All students will have an opportunity to perform solos at concerts and in the classroom at the end of the school year.

Ensembles: All choir members will have opportunities to rehearse and perform in small groups. All students will have the opportunity to perform in their ensembles at concerts and at the regional Solo and Ensemble Festival.

Expectations

The Importance of Discipline

Because of the nature of the organization, musical discipline is vital. Music students and parents must be prepared to support and uphold the ideals, principals and expectations of the organization. Because music students are constantly on display, each member must always be aware of the importance of good behavior. The student should remember that he or she represents not only the band/choir, but Windsor Middle School and Windsor, Colorado, as well.

Students will have the following behavioral expectations in rehearsal:

1. Be prepared: have the necessary equipment ready, know your part, and be mentally prepared to rehearse.

2. Be prompt; students will have three minutes to get their equipment ready and be sitting in their proper chair-don’t be late!

3. Pay attention to the rehearsals schedule: immediately arrange your materials in the order of the lesson indicated on the board each day.

4. Sing in-tune: listen carefully at all times during the rehearsal and sing in tune.

5. Be respectable and courteous to your self and others: there should be no individual playing or talking when any conductor is on the podium, students should raise their hand and wait until acknowledged by the director to speak, and guests and substitutes are to be treated with exemplary behavior.

6. Be self-disciplined: students should monitor their own behavior to allow the director to instruct.

7. Be neat: keep any space that we use clean and orderly, and do not bring food or drink to the classroom, which includes gum.

8. Take good care of the equipment: students will receive three minutes to put their music folders away, and students may occasionally be expected to stack chairs.

9. Rehearse daily with the same intensity as if it were a concert: no music group is better than its rehearsals.