MADISON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Chorus
Madison Junior School
Authored by: John Leister
Reviewed by: Lee Nittel,
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Stacy Snider,
Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts
Adopted by the Board: January, 2013
Members of the Board of Education:
Lisa Ellis, President
Patrick Rowe, Vice-President
David Arthur
Kevin Blair
Shade Grahling
Linda Gilbert
Thomas Haralampoudis
James Novotny
Superintendent: Dr. Michael Rossi
Madison Public Schools
359 Woodland Road, Madison, NJ 07940
www.madisonpublicschools.org
I. OVERVIEW
The Chorus in Grades 6, 7 and 8 is open to all students who wish to participate.
The primary goal of the Chorus program in grades 6- 8 is to enable the student to expand his/her
understanding of both the technical and aesthetic aspects of choral music. The broad objectives are:
1. Develop the appreciation of the music of many cultures through the study and singing of music from
around the world.
2. Develop Group Rehearsal Techniques so that students understand and appreciate how to function as part of
a non-competitive team.
3. Develop a variety of correct stylistic interpretations through the singing of music from many genres.
4. Develop proper individual vocal techniques
5. Develop the students ability to read music
II. STUDENT OUTCOMES (Linked to the NJ Core Curriculum Standards)
Specific content standards addressed include:
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Creative Process
History of Arts and Culture
Performance
Aesthetic Response and Critique Methodologies
The students will demonstrate:
1. A knowledge of music traditions including the historical, social, and cultural influences on the pieces that
they study.
2. A knowledge of basic elements of music theory to include vocabulary and key/time signatures
3. The ability to sing solfeggio
4. Proper vocal technique through work in posture, voice registration, articulation, vowel formation and
placement, and breathing.
5. Correct behavior for rehearsal and concert settings.
6. A knowledge of various diacritical markings for dynamics, style, tempi, phrasing, and shaping.
7. The ability to sight-read music.
8. An understanding of intonation, balance, and blend in choral performance.
9. Stylistic accuracy in singing a variety of musical styles.
10. Correct practicing and self-correcting techniques.
11. Proper care and maintenance of school folders and music.
12. An understanding of the benefits and enjoyment associated with continued singing in ensembles at the high
school, university, and community levels.
III. ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS
Unit: Vocal Technique
A. Posture
Through modeling and practice, students will learn and demonstrate
good posture while sitting and standing.
B. Breath Support
Through explanation and modeling, students will learn basic breathing
techniques using diaphragmatic muscles.
C. Basic Vowels
Through proper warm-up exercises and modeling, students will
demonstrate basic vowel sounds and proper mouth formations.
D. Articulation
Through explanation, modeling, and exercises, students will
demonstrate the use of consonants in relation to tone production.
Unit: Music Theory
A. Rhythm
Through teacher made rhythm examples, students will learn to say and
clap rhythms demonstrating their understanding of whole, half,
quarter, eighth, sixteenth, and dotted notes, and rests in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, and alla breve meter signatures.
B. Basic Notation
Through examples on the blackboard, teacher made handouts, and
examples in choral pieces, students will identify and define standard
notation symbols for pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, articulation,
and expression.
C. Key Signatures
Through the use of classroom posters, teacher handouts, and choral
pieces, students will learn to identify key signatures.
D. Intervals
Through aural training from the piano, students will learn to discern
intervals such as the difference between a whole and half step. They
will demonstrate this knowledge in their aural performance of choral pieces and sight-reading examples.
E. Triads
Through aural training from the piano, students will learn to discern
triads such as major, minor, diminished, and augmented.
Unit: Sight-Reading
Through the use of short, simple examples in treble and bass clef,
students will demonstrate the ability to sing pitches with letter names and to sing pitches using solfeggio
syllables.
Unit: Rehearsal Technique
A. Attendance and Punctuality
Through classroom discussion, clearly established classroom rules, and
repeated practice, students will demonstrate the importance of regular
attendance and punctuality in many lifetime situations.
B. Responsibility
Through classroom discussion, clearly established classroom
guidelines, and repeated practice, students will demonstrate the responsible treatment of each other, the
faculty, and all classroom materials.
Unit: Non-musical Personal Growth
A. Citizenship
Through discussion and the activity of performing for others, students
will identify the importance of helping others in society.
B. Self-esteem
Through positive reinforcement by the teacher, students will develop a
healthier self-esteem.
Unit: Performance Techniques
A. Concert Attire
Through discussions, handouts, and observing other ensembles,
students will learn how attire can enhance the effectiveness of a performance.
B. Behavior
Through discussions, handouts, and observing other ensembles,
students will demonstrate proper performance behavior on stage and in the audience. In addition, the
concept of respect will be discussed with regards to respect for other students and for the faculty.
Unit: Singing a Varied Repertoire Of Music
Using a variety of pieces from our choral library: Students will perform
and study music representing diverse genres and cultures.
Students will sing with expression and technical accuracy a repertoire
of vocal literature with a level of difficulty of 2 and 3 scale of 1 to 6,
including some songs performed from memory
Students will sing music written in 2 and 3 parts.
Unit: Historical and Cultural Relationships
For each choral piece studied, the teacher and students will identify
and
discuss the historical time period of the piece, the culture in which the
piece was written, and the genre of the piece. Through discussion and
written assignments, students will identify how similar events, scenes,
or
emotions could be transformed into other works of art. The
interrelationships with other disciplines in school will be discussed as
well.
Unit: Music Analysis
Through listening to live and prerecorded examples, students will
describe music events using appropriate music terminology. Students will
utilize terms such as meter, tonality, intervals, chords, and style. Music
from different cultures and genres will be demonstrated.
Unit: Music Composition
Students will compose short melodies to demonstrate how the
elements of music are used to achieve unity and variety, tension and release,
and balance. The use of traditional and nontraditional sound sources will be
discussed as part of this process.
IV. SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
First Marking Period
1. Review rehearsal procedures, behavior, expectations, logistics
2. Review music fundamentals
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Review care of folders and music
Present requirements for Region I Intermediate Chorus auditions
Introduce choral warm-up activities
Introduce and review solfeggio syllables
Begin rehearsal of music for Thanksgiving and/or Holiday assemblies
Introduce music and composers from various time periods.
Evaluate group and individual performance and behavior
Perform at appropriate school functions as needed.
Introduce opportunities for attending concerts and/or for singing with other ensembles.
Second Marking Period
1. Continue to refine ensemble skills stressing intonation, tone production, articulation, basic
vowel sounds, balance, and blend.
2. Continue to development proper vocal warm-up activities.
3. Prepare students for Region I Intermediate Chorus auditions.
4. Introduce concert performance behavior, logistics, and dress expectations.
5. Perform at Thanksgiving and/or Holiday Assemblies.
6. Continue to evaluate ensemble and individual performance and behavior.
7. Perform at school and community events as needed and as possible.
Third Marking Period
1. Introduce opportunities to sing in the Morris-Union Jointure Commission Honors Chorus.
2. Introduce new compositions and composers in preparation for the Spring Concerts and Festival.
3. Introduce 8th Grade students to the opportunities in music at Madison High School.
4. Continue to refine ensemble and individual music fundamentals.
5. Introduce techniques for sight-reading and individual practice.
6. Perform at the March "Music In Our Schools" Concert.
7. Perform at school and community events as needed and as possible.
Fourth Marking Period
1. Provide information concerning summer activities in music both in Madison and elsewhere.
2. Continue to refine ensemble and individual music fundamentals.
3. Review concert and festival guidelines for behavior and performance.
4. Continue rehearsal, development, and understanding of music selected for the spring events.
5. Introduce 8th Grade students to the music to be sung at the Promotion Ceremony.
6. Perform at Spring Concert, Music Festival, Eighth Grade Promotion, Sixth Grade Orientation, and
other events as agreed upon by the music faculty and administration.
7. Evaluate group and individual performance and behavior.
8. Collect materials for storage, order music and materials for the following year.
V. EVALUATION
Each student’s grade will be based on:
1. Attendance at all scheduled rehearsals and concerts.
2. Student participation, effort and preparedness.
3. Small group vocal tests and quizzes.
4. Homework assignments.
Specific grading percentages should be determined by the teacher and distributed to the students and parents
in September or when a student first enrolls in the class.
VI. RESOURCES
Supplementary Materials:
Choral music listed on the Resources/ appendix pages
Get America Singing...Again! Songbook
pub. Hal Leonard
John Jacobson's Riser Choreography
pub. Hal Leonard
Patterns Of Sound V. 1 & 2
pub. Hal Leonard
Something New To Sing About
pub. G. Schirmer Inc.
Songs For Sight Reading
pub. Pro Art Pub.
Teaching Choral Music
pub. MENC
Warm Ups And Workouts for
The Developing Choir
pub. Hal Leonard
Piano
Staff Paper
Black Board
Computer and Printer
Music Folders with pencils
Appendix for MJS Chorus Curriculum – Choral Music Titles as of August 2000
Title
A La Nanita Nana
Adoramus Te
Adoramus Te
Al Shlosha D'Varim
Alfred Burt Carols
All Around
The World
Tonite
Alleluia
Alleluia
Alleluia
Alleluia
Amazing Grace
Amen
America My Own
America Dream
American
Folk Songs
American Salute
Angel
Angels Through The
Night
Annie
Bandstand Boogie
Because You Loved
Me
Be Kind To Your
Parents
Be True To Your
School
Better World, A
Big Girls Don't Cry
Bless This House
Blowin'In The Wind
Boatmen Stomp
Book Of Love
Brighten My Soul
With Sunshine
Brotherhood Of
Man
Can't Help Lovin'
That Man
Canon Carol, The
Carol of The Bells
Christmas
A- Comin'
Christmas Bell
Carol
Caroling, Caroling
Comp/Arr
Luboff
Palestrina
Gasparini
Naplan
Burt
Estes
Bach/Emerson
Boyce/Kirk
Porterfield
Ray
BartheLson
Hairston
Gray
Eilers-Bacak
Spevacek
Lojeski
Brymer
Kern
Emerson
Shaw
Funk
SSA SAB
x
x
x
x
Hol
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
pop
x
x
x
Wilson
x
Pachelbel
Wilhousky
Strommen
West
Burt
pop
x
x
x
pop
x
pop
x
x
pop
x
Mac Huff
Shaw
Bdwy
x
x
Rome
Besig
Shaw
Ehret
Dylan
Gray
Lojeski
Eilers
2 pt 3 pt SATB TTBB Genre
x
x
Bdwy
x
x
x
x
x
Hol
Hol
Hol
x
Hol
Appendix for MJS Chorus Curriculum – Choral Music Titles as of August 2000
Title
Castle On A Cloud
Charlottown
Christmas Carols
Christmas Madrigal
Christmas Tide
Circle Of Life
Cold &
Fugue
Season
Colors Of The Wind
Come Let Us Start
A Joyful Song
Come To The Fair
Cross The Wide
Missouri
Danny Boy
Danny Boy
Day By Day
Deux
Petites
Chansons
Disco Divas
Do You Hear What I
Hear
Don't Stop Believin'
Down By The
Riverside
Edelweiss
Eight Nights, Eight
Lights
Every Time I Feel
The Sp.
First Noel
For The Beauty Of
The Earth
Freedom
Freedom Is For All
From A Distance
Gaudeamus Hodie
Give Me Your
Tired, Your Poor
Gloria Alleluia
Go Forth With A
Song
Goodnight My
Someone
Hakuna, Matata
Hanukkah, Oh
Hanukkah
Comp/Arr
Spevacek
Bryan
Eilers
Spevacek
Bourdon
Christopher
Bach/
Foncannon
Mac Huff
Hassler
SSA SAB
x
x
Martin
Besig
x
Weatherly
Knowles
Leyden
Estes
x
2 pt 3 pt SATB TTBB Genre
Bdwy
x
x
x
x
x
x
pop
x
x
x
x
PoP
Hol
x
x
Gallina
Eilers
x
x
Cacavas
Emerson
x
Williamson
x
Bdwy
Hol
x
Hol
x
Clawson
Davis
x
sa
x
x
Pop
x
x
Crocker
Albrecht
x
Willson
x
Emerson
Brownsey
Bdwy
x
Brymer
Simeone
Geld
Estes
Gold
Sleeth
Berlin
Hol
Hol
Hol
Bdwy
x
x
x
Bdwy
Hol
Appendix for MJS Chorus Curriculum – Choral Music Titles as of August 2000
Title
Hanukkah Tonight
Harmony
Haunting Melody
Hello Dolly
Hero
Hold On
How Excellent Is
Thy Name
I Am But A Small
Voice
I Am Your Child
I Feel Pretty
I Will Touch The
Sky
I Will Wait For You
I Won't Grow Up
If I Loved You
I'll Be There For
You
Comp/Arr
Bacack
Simon/Kaplan
Eileis
Herman
Brymer
Emerson
Knowles
SSA SAB
x
x
2 pt 3 pt SATB TTBB Genre
Hol
Warnick
O'Neill
Rodgers
Schmutte
x
x
Bdwy
pop
I'm Gonna Wash
That Man Right Out
In these Delightful
Pleasant Groves
It's Beginning To
Look A Lot Like
Christmas
It's My Party
Jesu Joy Of Man's
Desiring
Kyrie For Today
Les Miserables
Let Heaven
And Nature
Sing
Let It Snow!
Let There Be
Peace On Earth
Lion King
Little Drummer Boy
Make Them
Hear You
May Day Carol
Milk & Honey
Mister Sandman
Morning
Has Broken
Mozart, A Little
My Sha-LaLa Lockers
Stuck
Rodgers
x
Bdwy
Purcell
x
Willson
x
Hol
Brymer
Bach
x
pop
x
x
Bdwy
pop
x
x
x
Coates
Snyder
Bernstein
Loughton
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Shaw
Lojeski
Althouse
Calm
Ades
Bdwy
x
x
Bdwy
Hol
x
x
x
Hol
x
Brymer
Simeone
Funk
Bdwy
Hol
x
x
Zaninelli
Herman
Lojeski
Stevens
x
x
x
Spevacek
Lawrence
x
x
x
Appendix for MJS Chorus Curriculum – Choral Music Titles as of August 2000
Title
Now Is The
Month of Maying
O Come, 0 Come,
Emanuel
Of Thee I Sing
Oliver Medley
One Candle
One Fine Day
One Sweet Day
Once Upon A
December
One Voice
Out Here On My
Own
Patriotic Festival
Play For Me A
Simple Melody
Please Mr. Postman
Prayer from Hansel
& Gretel
Rejoice & Sing
Rhythm Of Life
Road Not Taken
Rockin' Around The
Clock The
Rose,
Rudolph the RNR
Scarborough Fair
Send In the Clowns
Shalom
Shenandoah
Shenandoah
Sick of the Songs of
the Sea
Silent Night
Simple Gifts
Simple Gifts
Sincerely
Sing Alleluia
Sing Gloria In Elx
Sing Hallelujah
Sing W/Jubilation
Sixties Partyline
Sleigh Ride
Snow Is Falling
Solfeggio
Someone
Comp/Arr
Emerson
Johnson
Aithouse
Leyden
Reese
Mac Huff
Brymer
Strommen
Brymer
Lojeski
SSA SAB
2 pt 3 pt SATB TTBB Genre
x
x
Hol
x
x
pop
x
x
x
pop
x
x
pop
x
x
Williams
Shaw
Emerson
Humperdinck
Knowles
Coleman
Klouse
Chinn
Nowak
Marks
Simon
Sondheim
Heiman
Kinsman
Althouse
Bennett
Bennett
Copland
Strommen
Emerson
Althouse
Spevacek
Ray
Estes
Lojeski
Anderson
Schram
Maxwell
Harris
Bdwy
x
x
x
pop
x
x
x
x
pop
pop
Hol
pop
Bdwy
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Hol
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
pop
Hol
Hol
x
Appendix for MJS Chorus Curriculum – Choral Music Titles as of August 2000
Title
Somewhere Out
There
Song For You, A
Song of Spring
Sound Of Music
Sound of Silence
Sounds of Life
Stand By Me
Stay Tuned!
Steppin' Out On
Broadway
Sunrise, Sunset
Supremes Medley
Thanks Be To Thee
That Thing You Do
That's What Friends
R4
That's What The
Music Ca n Do
Think Of Me
This Is My Country
This Land Is Your
Land
Time In A Bottle
`Tis The Season
`Tis The Simple
Things In Life
To The Sky
Turn, Turn, Turn
Turtle Dove, The
Varsity Drag
Velvet Shoes
Water Is Wide, The
We Go Together
We Go Together
We Wish U A Merry
Christmas
Weep 0 Mine Eyes
Wells Fargo Wagon
Were You There?
West Side Story
Whale of a Tale
What I Did 4 Love
What Is Christmas 4
What Will The
World Be Like
Which Is The
Properest Day 2
Where'er You Walk
Comp/Arr
Lojeski
North
Webb
Rodgers
Rodgers
Asplunt
King
Brymer
Althouse
Harnick
Billingsley
Nichols
Funk
Bacharach
SSA SAB
x
2 pt 3 pt SATB TTBB Genre
pop
x
x
x
Bdwy
pop
x
x
x
pop
pop
Bdwy
x
x
x
x
Bdwy
pop
x
x
x
Estes
Mac Huff
Emerson
Guthrie
x
x
Bdwy
x
x
Croce
Eilers
Strid
Strommen
Emerson
Spevacek
Shaw
Thompson
Zaninelli
Lojeski
Lojeski
Wilson
pop
pop
x
pop
x
x
x
pop
x
x
x
x
x
x
Bdwy
Bdwy
Hol
x
x
Bennett
x
x
Trad.
Stickles
Artman
Kerr
Fogderud
Coates
Bdwy
x
x
Bdwy
x
x
Bdwy
x
x
Arne
x
Handel
x
Appendix for MJS Chorus Curriculum – Choral Music Titles as of August 2000
Title
Why Do Fools Fall
in Love
Wind Beneath My
Wings
Winter Wonderland
Winter's On It's Way
Wintersong
Comp/Arr
Brymer
SSA SAB
x
Emerson
Emerson
Carter
Snyder
2 pt 3 pt SATB TTBB Genre
pop
x
pop
x
x
x
Hol
Hol
Hol