CONCERT CHOIR SYLLABUS
Spring 2005
I.
Course Information
Course Title:
Course Number:
Credit Hours:
Class Time:
Class Room Location:
Prerequisites:
II.
Concert Choir
MUS 183, 184, 185, 283, 284, 285
2
Monday/Wednesday/Friday 11:00 – 11:50 a.m.
MUS 104
Matches pitch well, has music-reading skills, works well in
groups, enjoys learning, singing and performing a wide
variety of SATB choral music.
Instructor Information
April Duvic
Office Location:
Office Hours:
Web Address:
Instructor of Music
MUS 103
E-mail: aduvic@clark.edu
9-10 a.m. M, Tu, F or by appointment
www.aprilbrookinsduvic.com
III.
Music
Each student will be issued music which they are expected to bring to each rehearsal.
Music is very expensive, therefore lost or damaged music will be charged to the student
and transcripts will be held until payment is made. Each choir member must provide
their own black 3-ring binder for music. Tour choir will be issued a packet containing
music from fall and winter term, as well as spring.
IV.
Concert Attire
Since Clark College owns no choir robes, the reason for wearing similar black clothing is
to draw attention away from individual performers and direct the audience to focus on the
music.
Women: Dressy long black dresses or dressy black pant suits. No overly bare or
revealing styles. Black hose and black shoes are required. We will be standing on risers;
low-heeled comfortable shoes are recommended. High heels throw your body alignment
off and affects your breathing and singing. No flashy jewelry.
Men: Black slacks and jacket, white shirt, black bow tie, shoes and socks.
Please do not wear perfume, scented lotion, or cologne on stage. Be considerate of
others’ sensitivities and allergies. Do wear deodorant.
V.
Course Description and Purpose
This course is designed to provide advanced vocal instruction for male and female voices
in a choral setting. Concert literature will be chosen on the basis of group ability.
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Students will have full ensemble instructions, as well as sectionals, during class time.
Students are expected to practice the concert music, on their own, outside of class time.
Students will be voice tested for parts and seating placement within the first 3 weeks of
each term.
VI.
Student Learning Objectives
Clark College has identified six campus-wide abilities that form the foundation of our
educational emphasis: 1) critical thinking/problem solving, 2) information/technology, 3)
communication, 4) life-long learning, 5) effective citizenship, 6) global/multicultural
awareness. Although we will involve aspects of most of these abilities during the term
both directly and indirectly, the primary emphasis will be the Communication Ability, the
Life-long Learning Ability, and the Critical Thinking Ability.
The students who successfully complete this course will:
1. Improve their vocal music skills by exhibiting curiosity and being open to learning,
assuming responsibility for learning their music by the dates given in class, exhibiting
self-discipline and good work habits during all rehearsals (Life-long Learning), and
interpreting musical notation that demonstrates a sense of melodic, harmonic,
rhythmic, and aesthetic understanding (Critical Thinking).
2. Understand and demonstrate good singing technique (body alignment, breath
management, vowel formation, vibrant tone, clear diction, and accurate intonation) as
it relates to choral music by analyzing information from different perspectives,
exhibiting a healthy lifestyle, and adapting to varying situations (Life-long Learning),
as well as assessing the success of their own and other’s communication efforts,
interpreting and using visual, verbal, and aural elements of communication
(Communication Ability).
3. Have an increased understanding and knowledge of repertoire and performance
techniques and etiquette by preparing for, and participating on all scheduled
ensemble performances, thereby assessing the success of their own and other’s
communication efforts (Communication), as well as assuming responsibility for their
own learning, accessing resources, analyzing information from different perspectives,
setting and revising goals, exhibiting self-discipline and good work habits, adapting
to varying situations, acknowledging all opportunities to improve and recognizing the
value of the learning process (Life-long Learning). Also included is an understanding
of college performance level expectations and standards (Critical Thinking).
VII.
Course Policies
The choir’s success is entirely dependent on its members’ commitment to rehearsal,
performances, and the music. When one of us misses a rehearsal or performance, we all
suffer. Therefore, you are required to be at ALL rehearsals and ALL performances. If
you are too ill to sing, but aren’t contagious, come to rehearsal and sit in the room. You
will still be able to participate and learn as you follow along in your music and make
markings as needed. If you are too ill to stand, walk or get to school, call Mrs. Duvic
before you call the doctor.
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Be on time to rehearsals. Be in your seat with music, ready to sing, 5 minutes early.
Tardiness is disrespectful of both the director and your fellow choir members. Excessive
tardiness will negatively impact your grade.
Do not leave rehearsals. Go to the restroom before class begins. If you need a drink of
water when you sing, bring water into rehearsal with you; do not leave rehearsal to get a
drink. The only reason for leaving rehearsals is for an emergency.
In review:
1) Always talk to Mrs. Duvic about a rehearsal you need to miss BEFORE the rehearsal.
2) Tell your section leader which day you will miss.
3) Be on time to rehearsals and performances.
4) Do not leave rehearsals, unless it is a genuine emergency.
VIII. Rehearsal Behavior
Any detrimental behavior (i.e. leaving the room, talking, negative attitudes, not coming to
class with your music, coming to class with your parts unprepared) can not be tolerated.
Since we only meet 3 hours a week, time is extremely valuable. Be attentive to the
director’s instructions. And no talking during rehearsal.
IX.
Grading
Your grade for the term will be based upon attendance at rehearsals and at the concert(s).
Missing a performance is grounds for a grade of “F” or “INC.” depending on the
circumstances of the absence. The only excuse for a missed performance is illness or an
emergency. (Proper documentation, i.e. doctor’s note, hospital bill, death certificate is
required.) In these cases, a grade of “INC.” will be entered. Students must adjust their
personal and work schedules in order to attend any outside rehearsals and all
performances since our performances are group efforts, grading is based upon this service
to the group. There is no way to “make up” a missed performance in the way you might
“make up” a missed quiz or exam in another class.
Assuming you perform at all concerts, grades will be earned as follows:
0-2 absences
3 absences
4 absences
5 absences
6 absences
7 absences
8 absences
9 absences
10 or more absences
3 tardies equal 1 absence.
A
B+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
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Performance Dates for Spring Term 2005
(All concerts and rehearsals are required for grading Spring Term.)
1. Tuesday, April 12, 2005 at 7 p.m. at Battle Ground High School. Call time will be at
6 p.m. This concert is a joint effort between the Battle Ground High School choirs
and the Clark College choirs and fulfills part of our goal to be more active and visible
in the community and to forge ties with area high schools. We will perform Shantey,
Rytmus, and Walk the Streets of Gold.
2. Tuesday, May 24, 2005 at 7 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Middle School with the choirs
from VSAA. We will perform a portion of our June 3 concert. Call time 5:45 in the
band room.
3. Friday, June 3, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at VSAA – Royal Durst Theatre. This is the final
performance of spring term and we will perform our entire program. Plan to arrive at
6 p.m. to set up the risers and have a short warm-up and rehearsal on stage. We will
perform first in the concert followed by the Concert Band.
4. Tour choir will hold additional rehearsals in preparation for the June tour. We will be
performing works from all three terms. All music must be memorized for tour.
1 – Thurs., April 7
2 – Thurs., April 21
3 – Fri., April 29
4 – Tues., May 3
5 – Fri., May 13
6 – Thurs., May 19
7 – 8:30 p.m.
7 – 8:30 p.m.
4 – 5:30 p.m.
7 – 8:30 p.m.
4 – 5:30 p.m.
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Room 104
Room 104
Room 104
Room 104
Room 104
Room 104
5. The tour choir will meet Mon., June 6, during the final exam time, 10 a.m. – 12 noon.
Attendance will be taken June 6 and will be included in your term grade.
6. The tour choir will meet Fri., June 10, 12-1 p.m. for a pre-tour performance of our
entire program. This concert will be open to the public. Place TBA. Attendance will
be taken June 10 and will be included in your term grade.
All music must be turned in after the June 3 concert. Choir members missing music will be
required to pay for the replacement of the music or will have their grades and transcripts held
until the music is returned or payment is made.