Course Syllabus
High School Choir/Core Music
Spring 2015
I.
John Adams Academy
Mr. Greg Blankenbehler, MMA
music@johnadamsacademy.com
Course Description
High School Choir is a year-long course electively taken by
high school scholars to provide knowledge and a meaningful
experience in the musical arts. It will satisfy both school and
state A-G requirements for Visual and Performing Arts (“F”).
Scholars will develop rudimentary skills in vocal performance
and musicianship (vocal techniques, musical perception, sightreading, expressive interpretation), study representative works
from folk, classical, and popular music genres, and develop
skills in analyzing, evaluating and creating music. Participation in all formal performances during the year is required.
5.
c. Use of high and low registers
d. Refinement of tone quality
e. Diction for singing
f. Expression in singing
Professionalism and Performance Skills
a. Appropriate participation in class, following all
class expectations and procedures
b. Use of behaviors and habits conducive to successful class activities
c. Use of professional demeanor and skills in class
and formal performances
* Actual works and musical elements studied may change slightly in the course of the
semester. Email me with any questions/concerns: music@johnadamsacademy.com.
II. Course Curriculum*
1.
2.
3.
4.
Music History and Literature
a. Program Music: Berlioz-Symphonie Fantastique;
Tchaikovsky-1812 Overture
b. Art Song: Schubert-Der Erlkonig; Faure-Après
un Rève; Britten-Encinctured in a Twine of
Leaves
c. Virtuosic Solo Performance: Gypsy/Hungarian
Csardas; Brahms-Hungarian Dance #5; Paganini Caprice #24; Liszt-La Campanella; ChopinNocturne in Eb major; Rachmonanoff-Prelude in
C# minor
d. American Composers: Copeland-Appalachian
Spring, Rodeo; Barber-Adagio for Strings
e. Modernism: Debussy-La Mer; SchoenburgVerklarte Nacht; Bartok-Romanian Dances, Allegro Barbarosa; Stravinsky-Rite of Spring
f. Post-Modernism: Glass-4’33”; Reich-Music for
18 Musicians; Ligeti-Lux Aeterna
g. Romantic Opera: Puccini-La Boheme, Che
Gelida Manina, Mi Chiamono Mimi; VerdiNabucco, Va Pensiero; Wagner-Ride of the Valkyries; Leoncavello-Ridi Pagliaccio
Music Elements
a. Time: Beat, tempo, rhythm, meter (simple &
compound)/time signature
b. Pitch: Unison, harmony, dissonance, major/minor/chromatic scales, major/minor chords,
basic intervals
c. Musical Forms/Styles: Program music, art song,
solo piece, tone poem, improvisation, aleatoric
music, opera aria & chorus
Music Literacy
a. Singing major, minor, and chromatic scales;
singing major and minor chords; identifying diatonic intervals visually and aurally
b. Counting rhythms
c. Sight-reading rhythms in simple and compound
meter
d. Sight-reading melodies in keys of C, F, D, G
Vocal Technique
a. Singing posture and alignment
b. Breath support
III. Class Expectations and Procedures
Scholars are expected to conduct themselves according to
John Adams Academy’s 10 Core Values at all times. Because
a significant portion of this class involves developing professional skills and behaviors, scholars will be instructed and
graded in their ability in class and performances to follow
these class behavior objectives:
Class Expectations:
1. Be Professional and Appropriate
2. Be Respectful
3. Be Involved
4. Do Your Best
Scholars will be instructed and graded in their ability to follow appropriate behavior and involvement in the following
class procedures:
Class Procedures:
 Attention Signal
 Class Instruction
 Class Discussion
 Individual Working
 Group Working
 Performances
 Class Visitors
IV. Formal Assessment and Grading
Scholars will be assessed and graded on their mastery of
course curriculum in a number of ways including:
40%
Level of appropriate participation in class activities following class expectations and procedures
(9 bi-weekly grades, by rubric—see last page.)
20%
Quizzes (6) on music history, literature, elements,
literacy, vocal technique, and professionalism
20%
Journal Notes, Classwork, Projects usually graded on 1-3 point scale
20% Level of appropriate participation and professional demeanor in performances (2 concerts, by
evaluative rubric—see last page)
Additional Class Policies
Scholars will not be formally assessed (ie. graded) on their
level of skill in singing. In these areas, formal assessment will
focus on participation and effort.
V. Concert Participation
Mid-Term Performance – Friday, Mar 20, 7:00-8:00 pm at
the Rock of Roseville (725 Vernon St, Roseville).
Arts in the Park – Thursday, May 21, 5:30-7:30 pm at the
Rock of Roseville (725 Vernon St, Roseville).
Performances in choir are comparable to final exams. In
them, scholars demonstrate all of the skills in music, expression, performance and professionalism that they have developed over the unit. In order to receive a high grade in concerts, scholars must not only attend, but also display high levels of professional behavior. These include:
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Arriving at call time
Dressing appropriately
Following concert behavioral expectations (no talking during performance, no horse play, etc.)
Keeping focused and on task
Maintaining a positive and encouraging attitude
Parents are asked to provide their scholars with the following
performance attire:
 Mid-Term Assembly-Performance: JAA uniform
 Arts in the Park: White shirt/blouse and nice blue
jeans. JAA uniform is acceptable as a last resort.
If a scholar experiences hardship in obtaining requested clothing, they should wear their JAA uniform and try to conform to
the requested colors as much as possible.
Scholars will not be graded down for lower ability levels in
singing, but will be marked down for not using professional
behavior.
If a scholar is unable to attend an out-of-class performance for
any reason, they must request an alternate assignment from the
instructor in order to receive credit for the performance portion of their grade. The alternate assignment must be requested on the scholar’s first day in class after the missed performance and must be handed in by two weeks after that date.
Discipline:
Misbehaving scholars will be dealt with according to the
JAA policy of progressive tiers of correction. They will
also receive a lowered participation grade and may not be
eligible to participate in performances. I will do my best
to notify parents of reoccurring misbehavior to allow for
constructive correction.
Leaving the Classroom During Class:
Scholars are expected to use restrooms and drinking fountains before and after class. Scholars are generally not
permitted to leave class to talk to other teachers or scholars. Scholars disregarding these policies will receive
lowered participation grades.
Make-Up Assignments/Late Work/Extra Credit:
Make-up assignments will be provided for scholars who
are legitimately excused from attending class. Alternate
assignments will be provided for out-of-school performances upon request. Extra credit assignments may be
available at the instructor’s discretion. Out-of-class assignments must be turned in by designated due date (usually two weeks from missed assignment) for credit.
Contacting the Instructor:
Because I am frequently involved in lunch-time and afterschool instruction, it is best to contact me via my school
email for questions and concerns or to request a meeting:
music@johnadamsacademy.com
Class Announcements:
Important announcements about upcoming concerts and
field-trips will be sent to parents and scholars via the
emails written on the attached syllabus slip. I will also
post them on class pages on the school site. Parents are
encouraged to request hard-copies of announcements if
these two methods do not work for them
I look forward to a great semester of artistic scholarship!
“Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other,
because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward
places of the soul, on which they mightily fasten, imparting
grace, and making the soul of him who is rightly educated
graceful.”
-- Plato, Republic
Parent and Scholar Acknowledgement of Information in Syllabus
I, the undersigned parent/guardian of scholar enrolled in High School Choir, affirm that I have read this syllabus
and am aware of the expectations and policies of High School Choir.
Scholar Name __________________________________________________ (Write neatly so I can give you credit)
Scholar Signature _________________________________________________ Period_______________________
Parent Signature______________________________ Email___________________________________________
Class Participation Grading Rubric (40%)
10 Points: Displays a very high level of professionalism, going well beyond class expectations. Displays servantleadership, helping other scholars and/or instructor be
more successful. Takes leading roles in class activities,
including singing and discussions. Shows exceptional
work ethic in improving skills and learning material.
6-4 Points: Displays a high level of unprofessionalism
through behavior highly inappropriate to class expectations and procedures. Typically interacts with instructor
and/or other scholars in a disrespectful manner. Typically uninvolved in class activities including singing and
discussions. Typically works and performs at a low level in relation to their abilities.
9 Points: Displays a high level of professionalism through
behavior consistently appropriate to class expectations
and procedures. Consistently interacts with instructor
and/or other scholars in a respectful manner. Consistently involved in class activities including singing and discussions. Consistently works and performs at a high
level in relation to their abilities.
3-0 Points: Displays a very high level of unprofessionalism
through behavior grossly inappropriate to class expectations and procedures. Typically interacts with instructor
and/or other scholars in a highly disrespectful manner.
Typically does not participate in class activities including singing and discussions. Typically refuses to work
and/or perform.
8 Points: Displays a moderate level of professionalism
through behavior occasionally inappropriate to class expectations and procedures. Usually interacts with instructor and other scholars in a respectful manner. Typically involved in class activities including singing and
discussions. Usually works and performs at a high level
in relation to their abilities.
7 Points: Displays a moderate level of professionalism
through behavior occasionally inappropriate to class expectations and procedures. Occasionally interacts with
instructor and/or other scholars in a disrespectful manner. Occasionally uninvolved in class activities including singing and discussions. Occasionally works and performs at a low level in relation to their abilities.
Concert Grading Rubric (20%)
40+ Points: Took a leading role in facilitating concert.
35-40 Points: Was well prepared, participated energetically,
acted professionally.
30-35 Points: Pretty well prepared, participated but not with
energy, and/or was a little unprofessional.
25-30 Points: Not very well prepared, did not totally participate, and/or acted unprofessionally.
20-25 Points: Unprepared, didn’t participate some of the time,
and/or acted unprofessionally multiple times.
15-20 Points: Very unprepared, didn’t participate a lot of the
time, and/or acted unprofessionally a lot of the time.